La Liga champions Real Madrid are preparing for the new season with a new “Galáctico” after Kylian Mbappé joined Carlo Ancelotti’s squad and aim to repeat last season’s success in the league and Champions League.

This summer, the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu was already packed to capacity for two player introductions, while the team travelled to the US, losing to AC Milan in Chicago and Barcelona in New Jersey before winning against Chelsea in Charlotte.

Following the win against Chelsea, the squad returned to Spain to prepare for the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, August 14. The season will officially begin when Real Madrid face Italian side Atalanta in the UEFA European Super Cup.

The team will travel to face RCD Mallorca in the first match of the La Liga season later in the same week, and fans will have the opportunity to watch their team on their home turf against Real Valladolid a week later.

Real Madrid’s expected squad for the 2024/25 season

In goal, Thibaut Courtois has shown great performance in the pre-season friendlies, and although Andriy Lunin is also playing, it is certain that the Belgian player will be Carlo Ancelotti’s first choice behind the goal.

There will be only one major change defensively. Nacho’s departure and Éder Militão’s return to form means the Brazilian will regain his place at the heart of defence alongside Antonio Rüdiger.

In the centre of the park, the departure of Toni Kroos means there will be an opportunity. The man who will likely benefit from this will be Eduardo Camavinga, who has been increasingly prominent over the last season, but Luka Modrić also offers a more experienced profile who may be a better fit for some fixtures.

In attack, the arrival of Kylian Mbappé means there will be someone who will have to make room for the Frenchman. Given the status and talent of Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, the leading candidate to be relegated to the bench seems to be Brazilian forward Rodrygo Goes.

Real Madrid’s expected squad for the 2024/25 season: Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy; Aurélien Tchouameni, Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga; Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé.

Real Madrid 2024/25 transfer news

While two names were transferred to Real Madrid this summer, the transfer adventure that continued with Kylian Mbappé reportedly ended with the French player transferring free of charge from Paris Saint-Germain.

In addition, the Brazilian footballer, who turns 18 this summer, finally arrived in the Spanish capital with Endrick Felipe, transferred from Palmeiras in 2023.

In terms of departures, the biggest departure from last season was the retirement of midfield general Toni Kroos. The German ended his stellar career and left Ancelotti with a void in the middle. Also leaving were captain Nacho, who left his boyhood club for Al-Qadisiyah, and Joselu, who made his loan deal permanent before moving to Al-Gharafa Sports Club.

Speculation continues largely over possible jobs in the defensive third. In goal, Andriy Lunin has been linked with a possible departure in search of first team football and that could open the door to a possible return for last season’s loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Furthermore, skeptics continue to argue that Los Blancos need more defensive reinforcements given the news that David Alaba will not return to action until next year. After missing out on Lenny Yoro, who has opted to join Manchester United, one of the names mentioned is Spain international Aymeric Laporte.

Real Madrid 2024/25 prediction

Having won the La Liga championship and the Champions League, the team is expected to play to the top once again with its new and improved squad and at least repeat last season’s success.

Barcelona are looking weak after a chaotic summer transfer window, Atlético Madrid have made major changes to their squad and Girona have dismantled their successful squad from last season. This should make it much easier for Real Madrid to stay top of La Liga.

Competition in Europe will be as tough as ever, but Carlo Ancelotti is an expert in the Champions League and it will be a real motivation to help Kylian Mbappé win his first title in the tournament, which would also be Los Blancos’ third in four years.