Can Real Madrid Win the Champions League Three Times in a Row?
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Real Madrid made history by winning the Champions League for the second season on the bounce, becoming the first side to triumph in successive campaigns since the competition was reformed.
Zinedine Zidane’s men blew Juventus away in the final in Cardiff, putting four goals past the Italian outfit’s stoic backline to secure the crown.
Cristiano Ronaldo was outstanding in the contest, notching two goals. First, he put his side into the lead in the 20th minute and in the second half, the Portuguese took the game away from I Bianconeri with the third goal after Marco Asensio had restored Real’s lead.
Ronaldo and Los Blancos met the expectations of Sports Predictor and the wider footballing world by winning the Champions League for the 12th time. However, the question going forward will be whether Real are able to create further history by notching the crown for the third year on the spin and extend their own record for trophy victories.
The Portuguese superstar remains at the peak of his powers, but will turn 33 in February next year. He has displayed no signs of standards declining, while his fitness record has been excellent throughout his career.
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It would not take a significant step back for Ronaldo for Real to lose their grip on their Spanish and European crowns. Although Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema have equally been at the top of their respective games over the past two seasons, the competition at the very top of the sport has never been more challenging to sustain a period of dominance.
The age of their main man along with the injury problems of Bale have not gone unnoticed by the club’s hierarchy, hence their efforts to attempt to lure Kylian Mbappe to the Bernabeu this summer. It would take a sizeable offer for Monaco to even consider selling the Frenchman, which may prevent Los Blancos from signing him at least for now, with Ronaldo still at the peak of his powers.
Defensively, the club have been forced to took to the future, with the departure of Pepe. Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane remain at the heart of the defence for next season, but the depth below them will be uncertain as new signings Theo Hernandez and Jesus Vallejo are inexperienced players.
An injury at the back could derail their campaign to win a third Champions League on the bounce, although a move for a defender with experience could sure things up for next term.
The midfield remains arguably the strength of Real, with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Isco and the rising star of Asensio handing Zidane incredible quality and depth. They, along with Ronaldo, will be driving force for a surge for a third Champions League crown in a row.
Although age is beginning to creep up on some of Madrid’s stars, there might be just enough left in the tank for a run at history. It would be a remarkable achievement should Zidane and his team pull off the feat and it could mark the end of one of the most successful sides in the history of the game.
