Seeing Madrid players on a podium amidst confetti and shouting "Champions, champions!" is a wonderful exercise included in the existential routine of the militant Madridismo. It doesn't matter if there are minor gameplay crises, long-term injuries, adaptation problems of their new stars, lack of personnel in some areas of the squad, or unfortunate refereeing decisions. Madrid, almost as if magnetized by a force superior to which one cannot resist, systematically ends up lifting one trophy after another. Of all colors. This year 2024 has closed with an Imperial Quintet: Spanish Super Cup, League, Champions, European Super Cup, and Intercontinental Cup. I'm not saying you should surpass it because you won't be able to, but to City, Liverpool, PSG, Juventus, or Barça, I say, like my fellow José Mota: "Match me...". Madrid already has 9 Intercontinental-World Club titles. Triple that of Barça (3). And it has 15 Champions. Triple that of Barça. That is, the statistical billing reflects that Madrid is three times better than Barça. Facts, not words.
Ancelotti sings the 15th. And in this magnificent array of awards and recognitions, I love to pause on a transcendental figure in the modern history of this unparalleled club. Without making a fuss, he is already the most decorated coach in the 102 years of existence of Madrid. Surpassing Miguel Muñoz is something that left other illustrious contenders on the sidelines: Zidane, Molowny, Del Bosque, Beenhakker... Carletto has been able to in this second stage to raise the bar with 11 consecutive titles in three years, something extraordinary. Charlemagne was the first emperor recognized to rule in Western Europe after the fall, three centuries earlier, of the Roman Empire. And Ancelotti has emulated that might, picking up the legacy of Zidane (another wizard from the bench), who ended his last year without titles and somewhat burnt out. Ancelotti rescued Madridismo a smile that reached its climax with the unforgettable comebacks of the 14th and the 15th. The genius from Reggiolo was excited in Doha when he raised that gold Intercontinental to the skies of Qatar that weighs his own. He deserves everything. This man has endured infamous criticisms when he fell in the Classic and the Milan. As if in a season of 11 months there couldn't be ups and downs. But he never gave up and reacted to his elite troops, who are now going for the SEPTETE. I put it in uppercase so that the staff understands the greatness of this colossal challenge. For now, it's two out of two. And in January, the third may fall in the Spanish Super Cup, which will be played again in Saudi Arabia. Knowing Carletto, they do not rule out returning with another cup...
The Best. Vinicius, on his own. This Tuesday he collected The Best and now the trophy that credits him as the best of the final. His Walt Disney play of the 1-0 already earned him all those recognitions. His Ronaldo-esque dribble past the goalkeeper was a delight. And generous, because he set up Mbappé so that Kylian continues to win European titles scoring goals in all finals. And don't forget Rodrygo's goal, who is already in his 'prime' as he showed in Vallecas and against the enthusiastic Mexican Pachuca. The fourth Beatle, Bellingham, also left his mark on the goals. With a quartet of this caliber, everything is possible. What a joy.
Already 106 titles. No one has more. And only in the 21st century, 40 titles have been won, which confirms that this club is immortal. We won the first Intercontinental that was played (in 1960 against Peñarol) and we have conquered the last one (against the Mexican Pachuca). Madrid closes the circle of excellence. Kings of the World.