It was all going so well until January. When 2023 rolled around, Real Madrid were in the hunt for La Liga, among the favourites for the Champions League, and presumptive winners of the Club World Cup. And although they sealed the latter with ease, the other two quickly fell out of the picture.
So, Madrid were left with just the Copa del Rey to show for after a mixed season, while looking every bit a team in transition. Karim Benzema swiftly left at the end of the campaign, while Toni Kroos and Luka Modric don't have many years left in their legs. And while there are some world-class names soon to be announced as new signings, this could end up being a pivotal season in the Spanish capital in terms of them transitioning away from the side that swept all before them over the past five years or so.
Still, there were some individuals who stood out. Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr continued their development; Antonio Rudiger enjoyed a solid first season; and Eduardo Camavinga looks like a star in the making and will be even better if he actually finds a consistent position.
Similarly, there have been some disappointments, as Aurelien Tchouameni didn't live up to the billing of his massive price tag, and Dani Carvajal started to look his age.
There's a lot to package together in what has ultimately been an unsuccessful season for Los Blancos. And with that, GOAL ranks every Real Madrid player from the past season...