Real Madrid are on the brink of perhaps one of the most significant seasons in their long history. How they cope with the departure of club icon Ronaldo would determine their future as a club. As of now, the club has failed to sign any direct replacement for Ronaldo, which makes the task of the remaining players even tougher.
However, Real Madrid do possess quality players on their star-studded roster who can make the departure of Ronaldo seem insignificant. We look at six such players who can make or break Los Blancos’ season.
Gareth Bale
The onus is on the Welshman to produce the kind of performances that Cristiano Ronaldo used to produce in the Madrid jersey. Real Madrid are used to having a Galactico, a prolific and talented goal-scorer who shoulders the expectations of the fans.
Bale joined Madrid back in 2013 for a world record fee after impressing for Tottenham. Since then, it has not been smooth sailing for the Welshman as trouble with injury, inconsistency and unrealistically high expectations created by the media has seen Bale go under the radar.
However, his tally of 16 league goals in just 26 games in an injury-plagued season adds weight to the fact that at his best, Gareth Bale is a force to be reckoned with.
Toni Kroos
Since joining Madrid from Bayern in 2014, Kroos has consistently ensured that Real’s star attackers get the service they need to rack in the goals. Despite not being on the score-sheet too often, Kroos makes things tick in midfield by doing all of the silent work in the centre of the park.
Isco
Like Kroos, Isco’s World Cup campaign ended prematurely when hosts Russia shocked Spain in the Round of 16. However, with 61 goals and 63 assists for Los Blancos, Isco shows why he has much to offer. Quick, creative, agile and a proven goal-scoring threat, Isco ticks all the boxes when it comes to the ideal midfielder. Since joining in 2013, the gifted Spanish midfielder has won one league title and an astonishing four Champions League titles en route to becoming a mainstay in this Madrid team. He has also worked under current coach Lopetegui before (for Spain’s national team) and would already be well-versed with his tactics.
Marcelo
By far the most versatile player in Madrid (and arguably, the world), serial winner Marcelo proves that age is just a number. At the age of 30, he makes sure he owns the left side of the pitch with his unwavering endurance and relentless determination.
Equally adept at attack and defence, the Brazillian has become a household name over the world owing to his unique hairstyle and his unrivalled passion towards the game.
Luka Modric
The diminutive Croatian magician is in the form of his life at the moment. He created waves around the world as his passing, creativity and shooting guided underdogs Croatia to their first ever World Cup final in Russia.
With impressive wins over heavyweights such as Argentina and the much-favoured England, Croatia shocked everyone with their majestic display this year and Modric was at the centre of it (literally). Such was his performance that he is considered among the frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or and favourite to break the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly.