What comes next for Real Madrid? Kylian Mbappe, returning stars to follow Champions League glory

Real Madrid won their 15th UEFA Champions League title thanks to Dani Carvajal’s header secured a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday. The Spanish giants were at times forced to sweat by their German opponents – especially when Niclas Fullkrug hit the post in the first half and was offside in the second – but Carlo Ancelotti’s men managed to win.

Vinicius Junior doubled Real’s lead in the final 10 minutes in the English capital, with Jude Bellingham salvaging a largely anonymous display with an assist for the Brazilian. Toni Kroos was a little more notable than the England international in his last game of club football and provided the service for Carvajal’s opening goal, although it took until the final 16 minutes for both goals to arrive.

Now that Real’s latest continental triumph has been confirmed, attention will turn to what comes next and the answer is obvious: Kylian Mbappe. The French superstar is expected to be confirmed as the La Liga giants’ latest big-name signing as early as next week ahead of his free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, but he won’t be the only change to this squad.

Dortmund exposed vulnerabilities that Real have had all season and came closer than most to exposing them and even threatened a comeback after a dominant first-half display. However, full time, the natural order was restored and European football’s dominant force emerged victorious to add another title to its trophy cabinet without even putting in a real effort.

With Mbappe and Endrick set to arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu and other potential new faces such as Leny Yoro also linked with Real, the curtain has fallen on Kroos and he could do the same with captain Nacho Fernandez. Kepa Arrizabalaga’s loan will run its course and he will return to Chelsea with minimal impact, as well as confirming Andriy Lunin’s reserve status.

The Ukraine international is expected to extend his contract to remain at Los Merengues, along with Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez, who could potentially sign short-term extensions as Ancelotti rebuilds certain areas of the current group. Rodrygo will logically drop into a squad role after a subdued match against Dortmund, while semi-final hero Joselu is only on loan from Espanyol.

Most impressive perhaps is the number of regular starters expected to be back to full fitness next season, with Thibaut Courtois again a UCL winner after his last clean sheet in the final and Eder Militão and David Alaba also to be considered. Factor in precocious young talent Arda Guler and that’s effectively four better than new signings besides Mbappe and Endrick for Ancelotti to consider.

Kroos will leave a substantial hole in the middle, but Modric’s stay could ease the immediate impact of this defeat, both from a technical and leadership perspective. Elsewhere, Nacho wouldn’t have played as much if Militão and Alaba weren’t seriously injured and Lunin might be packing his bags if he hadn’t impressed in Courtois’ absence before Kepa.

Rodrygo may be the one to keep an eye on Mbappe’s arrival, but there is no guarantee how Ancelotti will decide to move forward with the France captain until next season. There are different variations of how Real could field Vini Jr. and Bellingham with Mbappe and Rodrygo, but it’s likely that someone won’t be entirely happy.

However, that promises to be the issue for the next campaign, with now a time for collective and personal celebration as Real and Ancelotti write more history in the books of Spanish and European kings, despite it feeling like just another day at the office. Perhaps this is the scariest prospect of all: Mbappé joining a team he already effortlessly dominates without him.