Real Madrid have shot to the top of the spending charts after splashing out 48 million euros on Argentine fullback Gabriel Heinze and Dutch winger Arjen Robben and taking their pre-season spree to a massive 120 million euros.
It is investment on an incredible scale when you consider that Real are the league champions, while the fact that four of the eight signings have come after a series of poor results in pre-season certainly gives the impression of panic buying. The club have taken a huge gamble in sacking Fabio Capello and overhauling a team that appeared to have developed a fierce team spirit and self belief.
Only once before have Real spent more money in the close season, when Florentino Perez paid a then world record fee to sign Luis Figo from arch-rivals Barcelona in 2000 and also brought in Brazilian midfielder Flavio Conceicao, Claude Makelele and Pedro Munitis.
This time there is no one of Figos category, no player that can be termed a Galactico.
But dont write Real off just yet. The club have become accustomed to starting from scratch almost every season, the players they have signed are nearly all proven figures in European football and they have strength in depth in most positions, even though they still might be a little short up front if Ruud van Nistelrooy gets injured.
La Liga Loca puts it well in their preview this week, saying, “There are too many good players for Real Madrid not to be challenging for the title.”
Capello accused his former employers of poor planning and preparation in an interview in Marca*, but as the Italian knows only too well, Real are anything but predictable.
Simon Baskett, Madrid
* The interview is not available online, but you can read some excerpts in English on the excellent All In White blog, while our story is here on the Reuters Soccer website.
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6 comments so far
I really wonder where Real Madrid gets all their money from? Even the seemingly bottomless pockets of Abramovich has a limit (as seen this season) but Real splurges the cash almost every season.
- Posted by Five TimesI seem to remember reading that they’re massively in debt again. Is that right?
- Posted by LondonAnd forgot to say: Come on Atleti!
- Posted by LondonWhere does Real Madrid money comes from?
Real Madrid is unique. Its the only club in the world that demands 50% income from every players image rights. No excemptions! That means sponsorship… so if a player earns $ 10M for a commercial, half of it goes to club automaticaly. The are also the only club in the world the negotiates TV broadcast rights independently, and its not linked directly with La Liga.
Thats why the Galactico system was so profitable. Beckham’s 4 season at Real Madrid was a flop but he was a good earner for the club. Thats how Real Madrid can afford huge transfer fees and players salaries.
Oh btw Real Madrid is currently the richest club in the world now. =)
- Posted by ChrisReal are a money-making machine. You don’t have to like it, but there it is. It really doesn’t matter if they spend 20 million or 40 million on a plyer like Robben. They’ve got access to all the dosh in the world.
- Posted by rafaReal Madrid is not the only club to independently negotiate TV broadcast rights. Every team in Spain negotiates independently. I believe the same situation prevails in Italy too.
Also, while Real is currently the ‘richest club in the world’, Barcelona has been catching up very fast (currently #2) and could very well surpass Real by next year. Further, while Real has the highest revenues, it’s actually Manchester United that is the most profitable and the most valuable (no other club comes close).
The Deloitte & Touche Money League (published annually) will show you all of this information on Real’s revenue stream.
- Posted by Simon