End of the Galacticos Era

With the news of Roberto Carlos leaving Real Madrid in the summer it brings to the end of the Galacticos chapter of Real Madrid. The era which saw a world transfer record £38.7 paid when Luis Figo joined Madrid from their bitter rivals Barcelona and the arrival of the biggest brand in football David Joseph Beckham. An era which saw the superb left footed volley of the genius Zidane against Bayern Leverkusen in 2001/02 season to the skillful displays of the highest goal getter in the world cup Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima. But as the saying goes all good things must come to an end and it did.

The decline started when Real refussed signing of the man they thought was too ugly to wear the white of Madrid - Ronaldniho and then president Florentino Pérez went on to make a move which would term him a "Marketing Genius" but to the fans "A footballing error" by signing in David Beckham for a potential €35 million. This along with some other bold but not so beautiful decisions led to the downfall of the club on a whole. Vicente Del Bosque who won them the league on the last day was sacked, Fernando Hierro a spanish legend and a true servant to the club left, Claude Makelele did not get his contract extension and left for Chelsea for whom he turned out to be a trumpcard for their success, Samuel Etoo a striker on loan to Real Mallorca also transfered to arch rivals Barcelona and scored goals for fun there, the prodigal son Fernando Morientes loaned off to AS Monanco who incidentaly beat Madrid on their way to the Champions League final and Morientes was the top scorer that year. After this followed 8 coaches in 4 years with 4 in 2004/05 season. Players who had the ability and hunger to win trophies left with frustration specially with the likes of Cambiasso, Santiago Solari and even Figo left in summer of 2005. The club who had a rich history, who used to win cups with ease who had once seen the likes of De Stefano, Puskás, Hugo Sanchez, Hagi, Suker, Redondo wear their colours could not even fight for a trophy for the last 4 years. Even this 2006-07 season the new President Ramon Calderon and with the return of the "master" Fabio Capello with his troops Cannavaro who took the number 5 from the player who was his opposite number in the world cup final, Emmerson and Diarra to fill the hole Makelele left 3 years ago, Ruud "Van the Man" Nistelrooy haven't been able to steady the ship.

Now with Beckham leaving for Los Angeles Galaxy, Ronaldo loaded off to AC Milan and Roberto Carlos all set to leave this will surely bring the curtains down on the Galacticos Era and will hopefully be the beginning of a new Real Madrid which will bring back the history and charisma to a club which has ruled the European scene for decades.