Editing Real Madrid CF (section)

==History==
{{main|History of Real Madrid CF}}
{{see also|List of Real Madrid CF seasons}}

===Early years (1902–1943)===
[[File:Julián Palacios.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Julián Palacios]], the first president of the club in 1900–1902]]
Real Madrid's origins go back to when football was introduced to Madrid by the academics and students of the ''[[Institución Libre de Enseñanza]]'', which included several [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]] and [[Oxford]] University graduates.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-28 |title=Real Madrid {{!}} History & Notable Players {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Real-Madrid |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> They founded ''(Sociedad) Sky Football'' in 1897, commonly known as ''La Sociedad'' (The Society) as it was the only one based in Madrid, playing on Sunday mornings at Moncloa. 

In 1900, conflict between members caused some of them to leave and create a new club, ''Nueva Sociedad de Football'' (New Society of Football), to distinguish themselves from ''Sky Football''. Among the dissenters were [[Julián Palacios]], recognized as the first Real Madrid president, [[Juan Padrós]] and [[Carlos Padrós]], the latter two being brothers and future presidents of Real Madrid. In 1901, this new club was renamed as Madrid Football Club. Later, following a restructuring in 1902, ''Sky'' was renamed as "[[New Foot-Ball Club]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cihefe.es/cuadernosdefutbol/2013/12/%C2%BFen-que-siglo-se-fundo-el-real-madrid/|publisher=CIHEFE|title=In what century was Real Madrid founded?|language=es|date=16 November 2013|access-date=9 July 2017|archive-date=14 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714234407/http://www.cihefe.es/cuadernosdefutbol/2013/12/%C2%BFen-que-siglo-se-fundo-el-real-madrid/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last= Rowley |first=Christopher|title=The Shared Origins of Football, Rugby, and Soccer.|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn= 978-1-4422-4618-8|date=2015}}</ref><ref name="Ball, Phil p. 117">Ball, Phil p. 117.</ref> 

On 6 March 1902, after a new board presided by Juan Padrós had been elected, Madrid Football Club was officially founded.<ref name="Real Madrid turns 106 (I)">{{cite web | title = Pre-history and first official title (1900–1910) | url = http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202730681095/noticia/Noticia/Real_Madrid_turns_106_(I).htm | publisher = Realmadrid.com | access-date = 12 July 2008 | author = Luís Miguel González | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081229094130/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202730681095/noticia/Noticia/Real_Madrid_turns_106_%28I%29.htm | archive-date = 29 December 2008}}</ref> The Padrós brothers summoned other football enthusiasts to a meeting in the back room of ''Al Capricho'', the family business. They viewed football as a mass sport that should be accessible to representatives of all social classes, and thought the new club should embody that idea. The brothers proposed the name, Madrid Football Club, which was unanimously accepted. The membership fee was also set, two [[Spanish peseta|pesetas]] a month, and the color of the shirt was chosen to be white in honour of a famous English team [[Corinthian F.C.|Corinthian]], which Juan Padrós had met on one of his trips.<ref name="sapiens.cat">{{cite web|url=https://www.sapiens.cat/epoca-historica/historia-contemporania/els-fundadors-catalans-del-reial-madrid_201903_102.html|title=The Catalan founders of Real Madrid|editor=Sàpiens Editions|access-date=18 July 2022|archive-date=30 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130144544/https://www.sapiens.cat/epoca-historica/historia-contemporania/els-fundadors-catalans-del-reial-madrid_201903_102.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=A Catalan founded Real Madrid|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1992/12/27/pagina-2/1275104/pdf.html|publisher=Mundo Deportivo|access-date=19 July 2022|author=Tomás Guasch|date=27 December 1992|archive-date=13 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413161709/http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1992/12/27/pagina-2/1275104/pdf.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Madrid C.F. 1905-06.jpg|thumb|Madrid FC team in 1906]]
Three years after its founding, in [[1905 Copa del Rey|1905]], ''Madrid FC'' won its first title after defeating [[Athletic Bilbao]] in the [[Copa del Rey|Spanish Cup]] final. The club became one of the founding sides of the [[Royal Spanish Football Federation]] on 4 January 1909, when club president [[Adolfo Meléndez]] signed the foundation agreement of the Spanish FA. After moving between several grounds, the team relocated to the ''[[Campo de O'Donnell]]'' in 1912.<ref name="History&nbsp;— Chapter 1 - From the Estrada Lot to the nice, little O'Donnel pitch">{{cite web|title=History&nbsp;— Chapter 1&nbsp;– From the Estrada Lot to the nice, little O'Donnel pitch |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Santiago_Bernabeu/1193041512791/Historia/History.htm |publisher=Realmadrid.com |access-date=11 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706214852/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Santiago_Bernabeu/1193041512791/Historia/History.htm |archive-date=6 July 2008 }}</ref> In 1920, the club's name was changed to Real Madrid after [[Alfonso XIII|King Alfonso XIII]] granted the title of Real (Royal) to the club.<ref>{{cite web | title = Bernabéu's debut to the title of ''Real'' (1911–1920) | url = http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1911-1920-madrid-comes-together-and-receives-the-title-of-real | publisher = Realmadrid.com | access-date = 12 July 2008 | author = Luís Miguel González | archive-date = 3 September 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220903170947/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1911-1920-madrid-comes-together-and-receives-the-title-of-real | url-status = live }}</ref>

In [[1929 La Liga|1929]], the first [[La Liga|Spanish football league]] was founded. Real Madrid led the first league season until the last match, a loss to Athletic Bilbao, meant they finished runners-up to Barcelona.<ref name="Real Madrid turns 106 (III)">{{cite web | title = A spectacular leap towards the future (1921–1930) | url = http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1921-1930-real-madrid-becomes-an-international-symbol | publisher = Realmadrid.com | date = 28 February 2007 | access-date = 12 July 2008 | author = Luís Miguel González | archive-date = 3 September 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220903172451/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1921-1930-real-madrid-becomes-an-international-symbol | url-status = live }}</ref> Real Madrid won its first league title in the [[1931–32 La Liga|1931–32 season]] and retained it [[1932–33 La Liga|the following year]].<ref name="Real Madrid turns 106 (IV)">{{cite web|title=First leagues titles and Civil War (1931–1940)|url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1931-1940-first-league-titles-and-breakout-of-the-civil-war|publisher=Realmadrid.com|access-date=29 May 2021|first=Luís Miguel|last=González|work=Real Madrid C.F. - Web Oficial |archive-date=3 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903170936/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1931-1940-first-league-titles-and-breakout-of-the-civil-war|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 14 April 1931, the arrival of the [[Second Spanish Republic]] caused the club to lose the title Real and the royal crown on its emblem, going back to being named Madrid Football Club until the end of the [[Spanish Civil War]]. Football continued during the Second World War, and on 13 June 1943, [[Real Madrid v FC Barcelona (1943 Copa del Generalísimo)|Madrid beat Barcelona 11–1]] in the second leg of the [[1943 Copa del Generalísimo#Semi-finals|Copa del Generalísimo semi-finals]], the Spanish Cup having been renamed in honour of [[Francisco Franco|General Franco]].{{refn|group=note|name=CdR|The Copa del Rey, as it was known for the most part of its history, was renamed to ''Copa del Presidente de la República'' by the Second Spanish Republic in 1932 and then to ''Copa del Generalísimo'' by the Francoist government in 1939.}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Real Madrid v Barcelona: six of the best 'El Clásicos'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/la-liga/8946213/Real-Madrid-v-Barcelona-six-of-the-best-El-Clasicos.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/la-liga/8946213/Real-Madrid-v-Barcelona-six-of-the-best-El-Clasicos.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=19 December 2011|date=9 December 2011|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> 

The first leg, played at the [[Camp de Les Corts|Les Corts]] in Catalonia, had ended with [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] winning 3–0. Madrid complained about all the three goals that referee Fombona Fernández had allowed for Barcelona,<ref name="p67" /> with the home supporters also whistling Madrid throughout, whom they accused of employing roughhouse tactics, and Fombona for allowing them to. The newspaper ''[[Ya (newspaper)|Ya]]'' reported the whistling as a "clear intention to attack the representatives of Spain."<ref>{{cite book|page=25 |author=[[Phil Ball (writer)|Phil Ball]]|title=Morbo: the story of Spanish football|publisher=WSC Books|location=Reading |year=2001}}</ref> Barcelona fans were banned from traveling to Madrid. The day of the second leg, the Barcelona team were insulted and stones were thrown at their bus as soon as they left their hotel. 

Barcelona's striker [[Mariano Gonzalvo]] said of the incident, "Five minutes before the game had started, our penalty area was already full of coins." Barcelona goalkeeper [[Luis Miró]] rarely approached his line—when he did, he was armed with stones. As [[Francisco Calvet]] told the story, "They were shouting: ''Reds! Separatists!''... a bottle just missed Sospedra that would have killed him if it had hit him. It was all set up."<ref>"[https://books.google.com/books?id=2l6zHv_reuUC&pg=PA70 Sid Lowe: Fear and loathing in La Liga.. Barcelona vs Real Madrid]" p. 70. Random House. 26 September 2013</ref>

Real Madrid went 2–0 up within half an hour. The third goal brought with it a sending off for Barcelona's Benito García after he made what Calvet claimed was a "completely normal tackle". Madrid's [[José Llopis Corona]] recalled: "At which point, they got a bit demoralized," while Ángel Mur countered, "at which point, we thought: 'go on then, score as many as you want'."<ref>Lowe, Sid. p. 73, 74</ref> Madrid made it 8–0 by half-time; two goals were also ruled out for offside, and proceeded to score a further three goals in the second half, to which Barcelona replied with a late consolation goal.<ref name="Spaaij 2006">{{cite book |last=Spaaij |first=Ramn |title=Understanding football hooliganism: a comparison of six Western European football clubs |year=2006 |publisher=Amsterdam University Press |location=Amsterdam |isbn=978-90-5629-445-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i21W_KN_iUMC&pg=284 |access-date=19 December 2011 |archive-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111142827/https://books.google.com/books?id=i21W_KN_iUMC&pg=284 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

According to football writer [[Sid Lowe]], "There have been relatively few mentions of the game [since] and it is not a result that has been particularly celebrated in Madrid. Indeed, the 11–1 occupies a far more prominent place in Barcelona's history. This was the game that first formed the identification of Madrid as the team of the dictatorship and Barcelona as its victims."<ref name="p67">"[https://books.google.com/books?id=2l6zHv_reuUC&pg=PA67 Sid Lowe: Fear and loathing in La Liga.. Barcelona vs Real Madrid]" p. 67. Random House. 26 September 2013</ref> Fernando Argila, Barcelona's reserve goalkeeper from the 1943 match, said: "There was no rivalry. Not, at least, until that game."<ref>"[https://books.google.com/books?id=2l6zHv_reuUC&pg=PA77 Sid Lowe: Fear and loathing in La Liga.. Barcelona vs Real Madrid]" p. 77. Random House. 26 September 2013</ref>

===Santiago Bernabéu and unprecedented success (1943–1978)===
[[File:Di stefano real madrid cf (cropped).png|thumb|left|upright|[[Alfredo Di Stéfano]] led the club to win five consecutive European Cups (currently the Champions League).]]
[[Santiago Bernabéu (footballer)|Santiago Bernabéu]] became president of Real Madrid in 1943.<ref name="Real Madrid turns 106 (V)">{{cite web | title = Bernabéu begins his office as President building the new Chamartín Stadium (1941–1950) | url = http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1941-1950-beginning-of-president-santiago-bernabeu | publisher = Realmadrid.com | access-date = 12 July 2008 | author = Luís Miguel González | work = Real Madrid C.F. - Web Oficial | archive-date = 5 March 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140305010415/http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1941-1950-beginning-of-president-santiago-bernabeu | url-status = live }}</ref> Under his presidency, the club was rebuilt after the Civil War, and he oversaw the construction of the club's current stadium, [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium|Estadio Real Madrid Club de Fútbol]] (now known as the Santiago Bernabéu), and its training facilities [[Ciudad Deportiva, Madrid|Ciudad Deportiva]]. Additionally, during the 1950s former ''Real Madrid Amateurs'' player Miguel Malbo founded Real Madrid's youth academy, or "''[[cantera]]''," known today as [[La Fábrica (Real Madrid)|La Fábrica]]. Beginning in 1953, he embarked upon a strategy of signing world-class players from abroad, the most prominent being [[Alfredo Di Stéfano]].<ref name="Real Madrid turns 106 (VI)">{{cite web |title = An exceptional decade (1951–1960) |url = http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1951-1960-the-five-european-cups-and-di-stefano |publisher = Realmadrid.com |access-date = 12 July 2008 |author = Luís Miguel González |archive-date = 5 March 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140305022851/http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1951-1960-the-five-european-cups-and-di-stefano |url-status = live }}</ref>

[[File:Training Real Madrid in Amsterdam, Amancio, Bestanddeelnr 926-3299.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Amancio Amaro]], captain of the [[Yé-yé (Real Madrid)|Yé-yé]] team of the 1960s]]
In 1955, acting upon the idea proposed by [[Gabriel Hanot]], a French sports journalist and editor of ''[[L'Équipe]]'', Bernabéu, Ernest Bedrignan (deputy chairman of the [[Ligue de Football Professionnel]])<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/uefaorg/General/02/59/07/69/2590769_DOWNLOAD.pdf |title=Jacques Ferran: 'Launching the European Cup was a gamble' |url-status=live |magazine=UEFA Direct |date=May 2016 |pages=19–22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718124836/https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/uefaorg/General/02/59/07/69/2590769_DOWNLOAD.pdf |archive-date=18 July 2024}}</ref> and [[Gusztáv Sebes]] created the [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]], a continental tournament for the league champions around Europe, which is today known as the UEFA Champions League.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/magazine/news/Kind=512/newsId=419682.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060520042309/http://www.uefa.com/magazine/news/Kind%3D512/newsId%3D419682.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 May 2006 |title=Hats off to Hanot |access-date=11 July 2008 |date=12 May 2006 |publisher=[[UEFA]] |author=Matthew Spiro }}</ref> It was under Bernabéu's guidance that Real Madrid established itself as a major force in both Spanish and European football. The club won the European Cup five times in a row between 1956 and 1960, which included the 7–3 Hampden Park [[1960 European Cup Final|final]] against [[Eintracht Frankfurt]] in [[1959–60 European Cup|1960]].<ref name="Real Madrid turns 106 (VI)"/> After these five consecutive successes, Real was permanently awarded the original cup and earned the right to wear the [[European Champion Clubs' Cup#Multiple-winner badge|UEFA badge of honour]].<ref name="badge of honour">{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/19071.pdf |title=Regulations of the UEFA Champions League |publisher=UEFA |access-date=12 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312003915/http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/19071.pdf |archive-date=12 March 2007 }}; Page 4, §2.01 "Cup" & Page 26, §16.10 "Title-holder logo"</ref> Real Madrid's achievements in Europe were built upon its unprecedented domestic dominance, with the club winning twelve league titles out of sixteen possible from [[1953–54 Real Madrid CF season|1953–54]] to [[1968–69 Real Madrid CF season|1968–69]], including a five-in-a-row sequence in 1961–65, and finishing runners-up a further three times.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Real Madrid domination of the 1960s and 70s|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2017/05/22/5922e360ca4741170b8b4670.html|author=Lorenzo Lara|date=22 May 2017|publisher=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|access-date=19 July 2022|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019061028/https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2017/05/22/5922e360ca4741170b8b4670.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Sharif_El-Far_1960.jpg|thumb|Real Madrid's captain [[Paco Gento]] shaking hands with [[Zamalek SC|Zamalek]]'s captain [[Sharif El-Far]] before their friendly match on the occasion for celebrating 50 years on Zamalek's establishment in [[Cairo International Stadium|Cairo Stadium]] on 10 March 1961]]
The club won the European Cup for a sixth time in [[1965–66 European Cup|1966]], defeating [[FK Partizan|Partizan Belgrade]] 2–1 in the [[1966 European Cup Final|final]] with a team composed entirely of same nationality players, a first in the competition.<ref name="Real Madrid turns 106 (VII)">{{cite web | title = The generational reshuffle was successful (1961–1970) | url = http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1961-1970-the-yeyes-and-the-kidnapping-of-di-stefano | publisher = Realmadrid.com | access-date = 12 July 2008 | author = Luís Miguel González | work = Real Madrid C.F. - Web Oficial | archive-date = 22 November 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191122114710/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1961-1970-the-yeyes-and-the-kidnapping-of-di-stefano | url-status = live }}</ref> This team became known as the [[Yé-yé (Real Madrid)|Yé-yé]]. The name "Yé-yé" came from the "Yeah, yeah, yeah" chorus in [[The Beatles]]' song "[[She Loves You]]" after four members of the team posed for ''[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]'' and impersonated the Beatles.<ref>[http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1961-1970-the-yeyes-and-the-kidnapping-of-di-stefano "Real Madrid History: 1961–1970"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122114710/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1961-1970-the-yeyes-and-the-kidnapping-of-di-stefano |date=22 November 2019 }}. RealMadrid.com. Retrieved 1 October 2015</ref> The Yé-yé generation was also European Cup runners-up in [[1962 European Cup Final|1962]]<ref name=Madrid62>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0xIzCg2IyY Video highlights] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114162631/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0xIzCg2IyY |date=14 January 2019 }} from official [[Pathé News]] archive</ref> and [[1964 European Cup Final|1964]].<ref name="Real Madrid turns 106 (VII)"/> In the 1970s, Real Madrid won six league championships and three Spanish Cups.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trophy Room |work=Real Madrid C.F. - Web Oficial |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/honours/football |publisher=Realmadrid.com |access-date=12 July 2008 |archive-date=21 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421234811/http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/honours/football |url-status=live }}</ref> The club competed in its first [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|European Cup Winners' Cup]] in [[1970–71 European Cup Winners' Cup|1970–71]] and progressed all the way to the [[1971 European Cup Winners' Cup Final|final]], where it lost to English side [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] 2–1 in a replay.<ref>{{cite web|title = European Competitions 1971|url = https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec197071.html|publisher = RSSS|access-date = 27 September 2008|archive-date = 20 July 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220720231521/https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec197071.html|url-status = live}}</ref> On 2 July 1978, club president Santiago Bernabéu died while the [[1978 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] was being played in [[Argentina]]. [[FIFA]] decreed three days of mourning to honour him during the tournament.<ref>{{cite web | title = Santiago Bernabéu | work = Real Madrid C.F. - Web Oficial | url = http://www.realmadrid.com/en/santiago-bernabeu-stadium | publisher = Realmadrid.com | access-date = 12 October 2008 | archive-date = 1 January 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160101070806/http://www.realmadrid.com/en/santiago-bernabeu-stadium | url-status = live }}</ref> The following year, the club organized the first edition of the [[Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu]] in memory of its former president.

Bernabéu had been Real Madrid's president for almost 35 years, during which his club won one [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]], six European Cups, 16 [[List of Spanish football champions|league titles]], six [[Copa del Rey|Spanish Cups]], two [[Latin Cup]]s and one [[Copa Eva Duarte]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/presidents/santiago-bernabeu|title=Santiago Bernabéu 1943·1978|work=Real Madrid CF|publisher=realmadrid.com|access-date=31 May 2022|archive-date=16 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816230029/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/presidents/santiago-bernabeu|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{clear|both}}

===Quinta del Buitre and sustained success (1980–2000)===
{{football squad on pitch|align=left|clear=none
| GK = [[Iker Casillas|'''Casillas''']]
| RB = [[Míchel Salgado|'''Salgado''']]
| RCB = [[Aitor Karanka|'''Karanka''']]
| LCB = [[Iván Campo|'''Campo''']]
| LB = '''[[Roberto Carlos]]'''
| LM = [[Fernando Redondo|'''Redondo (C)''']]
| CB = [[Iván Helguera|'''Helguera''']]
| LSS = [[Raúl (footballer)|'''Raúl''']]
| RM = [[Steve McManaman|'''McManaman''']]
| CF = [[Fernando Morientes|'''Morientes''']]
| RSS = [[Nicolas Anelka|'''Anelka''']]
| caption = [[2000 UEFA Champions League Final]] starting lineup
}}
In the early 1980s, Real Madrid had lost its grasp on the La Liga title, until a new cohort of home-grown stars brought [[Football in Spain|domestic]] success back to the club.<ref name="Real Madrid turns 106 (IX)">{{cite web | title = The "Quinta del Buitre" era begins | work = Real Madrid C.F. - Web Oficial | url = http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1981-1990-la-quinta-del-buitre | publisher = Realmadrid.com | access-date = 11 July 2008 | archive-date = 3 September 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220903174111/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1981-1990-la-quinta-del-buitre | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name=marcaquinta>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2017/05/22/5922e820ca4741256a8b462d.html|title=The Real Madrid of La Quinta|work=Marca|date=22 May 2017|access-date=20 November 2017|archive-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523055356/https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2017/05/22/5922e820ca4741256a8b462d.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Spanish sports journalist Julio César Iglesias gave to this generation the name ''[[Quinta del Buitre|La Quinta del Buitre]]'' ("Vulture's Cohort"), which was derived from the nickname given to one of its members, [[Emilio Butragueño]]. The other four members were [[Manolo Sanchís]], [[Rafael Martín Vázquez|Martín Vázquez]], [[Míchel (footballer, born 1963)|Míchel]] and [[Miguel Pardeza]]. All five footballers were graduates of [[La Fábrica (Real Madrid)|Real Madrid's youth academy]].<ref name="Real Madrid turns 106 (IX)" /><ref name=marcaquinta/> With ''La Quinta del Buitre'' (reduced to four members when Pardeza left for [[Real Zaragoza|Zaragoza]] in 1986) and notable players like goalkeeper [[Francisco Buyo]], right-back Miguel Porlán ''[[Chendo]]'' and Mexican striker [[Hugo Sánchez]], Real Madrid had one of the best teams in Spain and Europe during the second half of the 1980s, winning two [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cups]], five Spanish championships in a row, one Spanish Cup, and three [[Supercopa de España|Spanish Super Cups]].<ref name="Real Madrid turns 106 (IX)"/><ref name=marcaquinta/> In the early 1990s, ''La Quinta del Buitre'' split up after Martín Vázquez, Emilio Butragueño and Míchel left the club.

In 1996, President [[Lorenzo Sanz]] appointed [[Fabio Capello]] as coach.<ref>{{Cite book | publisher = Bantam Books | isbn = 978-0-553-82566-4 | last = Marcotti | first = Gabriele | title = Capello: The Man Behind England's World Cup Dream | year = 2008 | page = [https://archive.org/details/capellomanbehind0000marc/page/291 291] | url = https://archive.org/details/capellomanbehind0000marc/page/291 }}</ref> Although his tenure lasted only one season, Real Madrid were proclaimed league champions, and players like [[Predrag Mijatović]], [[Davor Šuker]], [[Clarence Seedorf]], [[Roberto Carlos]] and keeper [[Bodo Illgner]] arrived at the club to strengthen a squad that already boasted the likes of [[Raúl (footballer)|Raúl]], [[Fernando Hierro]] and [[Fernando Redondo]]. As a result, Real Madrid (with the addition of [[Fernando Morientes]] in 1997) finally ended its 32-year wait for its seventh European Cup: in 1998, under manager [[Jupp Heynckes]], they defeated Juventus 1–0 in the [[1998 UEFA Champions League Final|final]] with a goal from Mijatović.<ref>{{cite web |title = 1991–2000&nbsp;– From Raúl González to the turn of the new millennium |work = Real Madrid C.F. - Web Oficial |url = http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1991-2000-the-seventh-and-eighth-european-cups |publisher = Realmadrid.com |access-date = 12 July 2008 |archive-date = 3 September 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220903174221/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/1991-2000-the-seventh-and-eighth-european-cups |url-status = live }}</ref>

In November 1999, [[Vicente del Bosque]] took over as coach. For the last season of the century, [[1999–2000 Real Madrid CF season|1999–2000]], the squad was still led by the older veterans such as Fernando Hierro, Fernando Redondo, Roberto Carlos and Raúl. Real added the budding young talents of [[Guti (Spanish footballer)|Guti]] and [[Iker Casillas]], supported by the arrival of [[Steve McManaman]] and [[Nicolas Anelka]] from the English Premier League, alongside local talents [[Míchel Salgado]] and [[Iván Helguera]]. In Del Bosque's first season in charge, Real won the Champions League for the [[1999–2000 UEFA Champions League|eighth time]], following a 3–0 victory over [[Valencia CF|Valencia]] in the [[2000 UEFA Champions League Final|final]], with goals from Morientes, McManaman and Raúl.<ref>{{cite web|title=UEFA Champions League 1999/00 – History|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/64833--real-madrid-vs-valencia/|publisher=UEFA|date=24 May 2000|access-date=9 July 2017|archive-date=15 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115005544/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season%3D1999/matches/round%3D1290/match%3D64833/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This victory marked the beginning of a successful period in Real Madrid's history.<ref name="bbc_stats">{{cite news
 |url          = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/3016096.stm
 |title        = The unluckiest manager ever sacked?
 |work         = [[BBC Sport]]
 |date         = 24 June 2003
 |access-date  = 9 July 2017
 |archive-date = 23 February 2006
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20060223101330/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/3016096.stm
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref>

===Florentino Pérez era (2000–2006)===
{{see also|Galácticos}}
{{football squad on pitch|align=left|clear=none
| GK = '''[[César Sánchez|César]]'''
| RB = '''[[Míchel Salgado|Salgado]]'''
| RCB = '''[[Fernando Hierro|Hierro (c)]]'''
| LCB = '''[[Iván Helguera|Helguera]]'''
| LB = '''[[Roberto Carlos]]'''
| DM = '''[[Claude Makélélé|Makélélé]]'''
| RCM = '''[[Luís Figo|Figo]]'''
| LCM = '''[[Santiago Solari|Solari]]'''
| AM = '''[[Zinedine Zidane|Zidane]]'''
| RCF = '''[[Raúl (footballer)|Raúl]]'''
| LCF = '''[[Fernando Morientes|Morientes]]'''
| caption = [[2002 UEFA Champions League Final]] starting lineup
}}
In July 2000, [[Florentino Pérez]] was elected club president.<ref>{{cite web| title = Florentino Pérez era| work = Real Madrid C.F. - Web Oficial| url = http://www.realmadrid.com/sobre-el-real-madrid/el-club/historia/presidentes/florentino-perez| publisher = Realmadrid.com| access-date = 12 July 2008| language = es| archive-date = 22 September 2022| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220922080242/https://www.realmadrid.com/sobre-el-real-madrid/el-club/historia/presidentes/florentino-perez| url-status = live}}</ref> He vowed in his campaign to erase the club's €270&nbsp;million debt and modernize the club's facilities. However, the primary electoral promise that propelled Pérez to victory was the signing of [[Luís Figo]] from arch-rivals Barcelona.<ref>{{cite news | title = Figo's the Real deal | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/848836.stm | work = BBC Sport | date = 24 July 2000 | access-date = 12 July 2008 | archive-date = 17 October 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181017124130/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/848836.stm | url-status = live }}</ref> The following year, the club had its training ground rezoned and used the money to begin assembling the ''[[Galácticos]]'' team by signing a global star every summer, which included [[Zinedine Zidane]], [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]], [[Luís Figo]], [[David Beckham]] and [[Fabio Cannavaro]].<ref>{{cite web| title = 2001&nbsp;– present&nbsp;— Real Madrid surpasses the century mark| work = Real Madrid C.F. - Web Oficial| url = http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/2001-2010-the-ninth-with-zidane-beckham-ronaldo-and-figo| publisher = Realmadrid.com| access-date = 5 December 2015| archive-date = 22 November 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191122115453/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/2001-2010-the-ninth-with-zidane-beckham-ronaldo-and-figo| url-status = live}}</ref> It is debatable whether the gamble paid off, as despite winning the [[2001–02 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] and an [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]] in [[2002 Intercontinental Cup|2002]], followed by [[2002–03 La Liga|La Liga]] in 2003, the club failed to win a major trophy for the next three seasons. Off the pitch, the ''Zidanes y Pavones'' policy resulted in increased financial success based on the exploitation of the club's high marketing potential around the world, particularly in Asia.<ref name="2001-2010">{{cite web|title = 2001&nbsp;– present&nbsp;— Real Madrid surpasses the century mark| work=Real Madrid C.F. - Web Oficial |url = http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/2001-2010-the-ninth-with-zidane-beckham-ronaldo-and-figo|publisher = Realmadrid.com|access-date = 12 July 2008|archive-date = 22 November 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191122115453/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/2001-2010-the-ninth-with-zidane-beckham-ronaldo-and-figo|url-status = live}}</ref>

[[File:Beckham zidane.jpg|thumb|150px|upright|[[David Beckham|Beckham]] and [[Zinedine Zidane|Zidane]] were considered ''[[Galácticos]]''.]]
The few days after the capturing of the [[2002–03 La Liga|2003 La Liga title]] were surrounded with controversy. The first controversial decision came when Pérez sacked winning coach [[Vicente del Bosque]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Real ditch Del Bosque |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/3012442.stm |access-date=9 August 2014 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 June 2003 |archive-date=1 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801131839/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/3012442.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Over a dozen players left the club, including Madrid captain Fernando Hierro, while defensive midfielder [[Claude Makélélé]] refused to take part in training in protest at being one of the lowest-paid players at the club and subsequently moved to [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Chelsea sign Makelele |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/3196017.stm |access-date=9 August 2014 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2003 |archive-date=2 September 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030902012402/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/3196017.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> "That's a lot [of players leaving] when the normal rule is: never change a winning team," stated Zidane.<ref name="Lowe">Lowe, Sid (2013). "Fear and Loathing in La Liga: The True Story of Barcelona and Real Madrid". p. 356-357. Random House,</ref> Real Madrid, with newly appointed coach [[Carlos Queiroz]], started their domestic league slowly after a hard win over [[Real Betis]].<ref name="Lowe"/>

The [[2005–06 Real Madrid CF season|2005–06 season]] began with the promise of several new signings: [[Júlio Baptista]] (€24&nbsp;million), [[Robinho]] (€30&nbsp;million), and [[Sergio Ramos]] (€27&nbsp;million).<ref>[http://www.marca.com/2014/05/17/en/football/spanish_football/1400326984.html "Alberto Moreno angling for Real Madrid move"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824060857/http://www.marca.com/2014/05/17/en/football/spanish_football/1400326984.html |date=24 August 2014 }}. Marca. Retrieved 23 August 2014</ref> However, Real Madrid suffered from some poor results, including a 0–3 loss at the hands of Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu in November 2005.<ref>{{cite news|title=Real Madrid 0–3 Barcelona|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4441406.stm|access-date=26 July 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=19 November 2005|archive-date=29 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829221420/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4441406.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Madrid's coach [[Vanderlei Luxemburgo|Wanderley Luxemburgo]] was sacked the following month and his replacement was [[Juan Ramón López Caro]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Real Madrid sack coach Luxemburgo |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4497208.stm |access-date=26 July 2014 |work=BBC Sport |date=4 December 2005 |archive-date=21 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121014016/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4497208.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> A brief return to form came to an abrupt halt after Madrid lost the first leg of the [[2005–06 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] semi-finals 6–1 to Real Zaragoza,<ref>{{cite news |title=Real Madrid concede six in defeat |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4695456.stm |access-date=26 July 2014 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 February 2006 |archive-date=18 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618032949/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4695456.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> a defeat that was nearly reversed with a 4–0 home victory. Shortly after, Real Madrid were eliminated from the Champions League for a fourth successive year, this time at the hands of [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]. On 27 February 2006, Florentino Pérez resigned.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4757112.stm |title=Perez resigns as Madrid president |work=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2006 |access-date=7 January 2012 |archive-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203171959/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4757112.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Ramón Calderón era (2006–2009)===
[[Ramón Calderón]] was elected as club president on 2 July 2006 and subsequently appointed Fabio Capello as the new coach and [[Predrag Mijatović]] as the new sporting director. Real Madrid won the Liga title in [[2006–07 La Liga|2007]] for the first time in four years, but Capello was nonetheless sacked at the end of the campaign.<ref>{{cite news | title = Beckham's farewell cut short but he still departs a winner | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/jun/18/match.sport1 | work = theguardian.com | date = 18 June 2007 | access-date = 12 July 2008 | archive-date = 20 August 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220820124608/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/jun/18/match.sport1 | url-status = live }}</ref> The title was won on 17 June, where Real faced [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]] at the Bernabéu while Barcelona and [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]], the other title challengers, faced [[Gimnàstic de Tarragona]] and [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]], respectively. At half-time, Real were 0–1 down, while Barcelona had surged ahead into a 0–3 lead in [[Nou Estadi de Tarragona|Tarragona]]. However, three goals in the last half-hour secured Madrid a 3–1 win and their first league title since 2003.<ref name="Beckham">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6759697.stm "Beckham bows out with La Liga title"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217013123/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6759697.stm |date=17 February 2021 }}. BBC. Retrieved 16 August 2014</ref> Real Madrid repeated as league winners in [[2007–08 La Liga|2007–08]], but the [[2008–09 Real Madrid CF season|following season]] ended up being one of the most disastrous in the club's history: Real was knocked out of the [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] at the round of 16 stage for the fifth time in a row, losing to [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] 0–5 on aggregate, and was embarrassed by Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu with a humiliating 2–6 loss, which all but confirmed the [[2008–09 La Liga|league title]] for Barça that went on to win the [[Treble (association football)#Continental trebles|treble]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Trophies tell story of Madrid's decline|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/mar/10/real-madrid-champions-league-failure|author=Sid Lowe|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=10 March 2009|access-date=19 July 2022|archive-date=19 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719085035/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/mar/10/real-madrid-champions-league-failure|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Second Florentino Pérez era (2009–present)===
[[File:Ronaldo vs. FC Schalke 04 (16854146922, cropped).jpg|thumb|253x253px|[[Cristiano Ronaldo]] was the club's most expensive signing when he joined in 2009, costing €94 million. He went on to become the club's all-time top scorer.]]
On 1 June 2009, Florentino Pérez regained Real Madrid's presidency amid the outrage over the club's decline.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spanish-football/2009/06/01/1299010/florentino-perez-vows-to-lead-real-madrid-to-future-glory|title=Florentino Perez Vows To Lead Real Madrid To Future Glory|author=Lucas Brown|publisher=[[Goal (website)|goal.com]]|date=1 June 2009|access-date=19 July 2022|archive-date=19 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719102717/https://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spanish-football/2009/06/01/1299010/florentino-perez-vows-to-lead-real-madrid-to-future-glory|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8076515.stm|title=Perez to return as Real president|date=1 June 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=3 June 2009|archive-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407203535/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8076515.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Pérez continued with the ''Galácticos'' policy pursued in his first term, buying [[Kaká]] from [[A.C. Milan|Milan]] for a [[List of most expensive association football transfers|record-breaking]] (in pounds sterling) sum of £56&nbsp;million,<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/5469863/Real-Madrid-to-confirm-world-record-56m-signing-of-Kaka.html|title = Real Madrid to confirm world record £56m signing of Kaka|date = 7 June 2009|access-date = 13 February 2015|website = The Telegraph|last = Wilson|first = Jeremy|archive-date = 30 April 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190430052459/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/5469863/Real-Madrid-to-confirm-world-record-56m-signing-of-Kaka.html|url-status = live}}</ref> and then breaking the record again by purchasing [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] from [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] for £80&nbsp;million.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8121951.stm "Ronaldo completes £80m Real move"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112095928/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8121951.stm |date=12 January 2016 }}. BBC. Retrieved 16 August 2014</ref> Real Madrid spent in excess of €261 million in the summer of 2009, and the assembled team was soon dubbed the ''Second Galácticos''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/06/11/real-madrid-galacticos-business-sports-perez.html?sh=3aaa413d6bc2|title=Galacticos 2.0|author=Paul Maidment|work=[[Forbes]]|date=11 June 2009|access-date=19 July 2022|archive-date=19 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719102714/https://www.forbes.com/2009/06/11/real-madrid-galacticos-business-sports-perez.html?sh=3aaa413d6bc2|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[2009–10 Real Madrid CF season|2009–10 season]], however, was a transitional one as Madrid again finished second in the [[2009–10 La Liga|league]], although this time amassing 96 points, the club's record at the time, and went out of the [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] at the hands of [[Olympique Lyonnais|Lyon]]. The season was marred by Cristiano Ronaldo's injury, that sidelined him for seven weeks,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01de-0e7307fb0f43-0895b8d4e0b9-1000--ronaldo-forced-out-of-milan-meetings/|title=Ronaldo forced out of Milan meetings|publisher=[[UEFA]]|date=11 October 2009|access-date=19 July 2022|archive-date=19 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619171140/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01de-0e7307fb0f43-0895b8d4e0b9-1000--ronaldo-forced-out-of-milan-meetings/|url-status=live}}</ref> although he still topped the goalscoring charts with 33 goals, and Madrid became the highest scoring team in La Liga, with 102 goals. Real Madrid also had the misfortune to become the runners-up with the highest points total in the history of Europe's top five leagues, until surpassed by Liverpool's 97 points in [[2018–19 Premier League|2018–19]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2023936-manchester-united-real-madrid-and-european-footballs-greatest-ever-runners-up|title=Manchester United, Real Madrid and European Football's Greatest-Ever Runners-Up|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|first=Nicky|last=Bandini|date=10 April 2014|access-date=22 October 2022|archive-date=22 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022205413/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2023936-manchester-united-real-madrid-and-european-footballs-greatest-ever-runners-up|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Bleacher Report">{{cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/708610-92-points-not-good-enough-for-real-madrid-to-win-la-liga|title=92 Points Not Good Enough for Real Madrid to Win La Liga|newspaper=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=19 July 2022|last1=Gouyet|first1=Stefan|archive-date=19 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719102716/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/708610-92-points-not-good-enough-for-real-madrid-to-win-la-liga|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[José Mourinho]] took over as manager in May 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/mourinho-to-be-unveiled-at-madrid-on-monday-after-1637m-compensation-deal-1986040.html|title=Mourinho to be unveiled at Madrid on Monday after £7m compensation deal|date=28 May 2010|work=The Independent|access-date=31 May 2010|location=London|first=Gordon|last=Tynan|archive-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407205044/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/mourinho-to-be-unveiled-at-madrid-on-monday-after-1637m-compensation-deal-1986040.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8708315.stm|title=Real Madrid unveil José Mourinho as their new coach|date=31 May 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=31 May 2010|archive-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407203633/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8708315.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2010–11 Real Madrid CF season|2010–11 season]], the rebuilt Madrid successfully fought on all fronts, going toe to toe with a brilliant [[2010–11 FC Barcelona season|Barcelona]] side which some regard as the greatest team in football history. Ultimately, Madrid finished second in the [[2010–11 La Liga|league]], with 92 points and four behind their perennial rivals, defeated them in the [[2011 Copa del Rey Final|Copa del Rey final]], and lost to Barça in the [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Semi-finals|Champions League semi-finals]], where Real progressed to for the first time since [[2002–03 UEFA Champions League|2002–03]]. Moreover, from 16 April through 3 May, a rare occurrence happened when, for the first time ever, four ''[[El Clásico|Clásicos]]'' were to be played in a span of just 18 days. The first fixture was in the league campaign on 16 April (which ended 1–1 with penalty goals for both sides), the second one was in the Copa del Rey final (which was won by Madrid 1–0 [[Overtime (sports)#Association football|a.e.t.]], bringing them their first trophy in the second ''Galáctico'' era) on 20 April and the third and fourth ones in the controversial<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2011/05/02/2468147/uefa-reject-real-madrids-complaint-against-barcelona|title=Uefa reject Real Madrid's complaint against Barcelona|website=[[Goal (website)|goal.com]]|date=2 May 2011|access-date=4 August 2022|archive-date=4 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804174244/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2011/05/02/2468147/uefa-reject-real-madrids-complaint-against-barcelona|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/692238-champions-league-2010-11-controversial-barcelona-moments|title=Champions League 2010-11: 5 Most Controversial Barcelona Moments|website=[[Bleacher Report]]|date=6 May 2011|access-date=4 August 2022|archive-date=22 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022172345/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/692238-champions-league-2010-11-controversial-barcelona-moments|url-status=live}}</ref> two-legged Champions League semi-finals on 27 April and 3 May (Barcelona won on aggregate with a 2–0 away victory and a 1–1 home draw).<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9473024.stm "Barcelona 1 – 1 Real Madrid (agg 3 – 1)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311172137/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9473024.stm |date=11 March 2022 }}. BBC. Retrieved 3 October 2014</ref> Madrid again became the highest scoring team in La Liga, with 102 goals, repeating its output from the previous season, with Ronaldo scoring 40 and winning the [[European Golden Shoe]].

In the [[2011–12 Real Madrid CF season|2011–12 season]], Real Madrid won [[2011–12 La Liga|La Liga]] for a record 32nd time in its history, also finishing the season with numerous [[La Liga records and statistics|league records]] set, including 100 points amassed in a single season, a total of 121 goals scored, a goal difference of +89, 16 away games won, and 32 wins overall.<ref>[[2011–12 La Liga]]</ref> They also competed in the [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] for the 15th successive season,<ref>{{cite web|title=UEFA Champions League 2011/12 season matchweek stats pack Matchweek 1 13/09/2011 – 14/09/2011|url=http://www.uefa.com/printoutfiles/competitions/ucl/2012/e/e_01_md.pdf|publisher=[[UEFA]]|date=9 September 2011|access-date=11 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111044512/http://www.uefa.com/printoutfiles/competitions/ucl/2012/e/e_01_md.pdf|archive-date=11 January 2012|url-status=dead }}</ref> losing in the semi-finals to [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] in a [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shoot-out]] after a 3–3 aggregate tie. Madrid entered the [[2011–12 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] as the [[2010–11 Copa del Rey|defending champions]], but lost 3–4 on aggregate in the quarter-finals to Barcelona. In the same season, Cristiano Ronaldo became the fastest player to reach 100 goals scored in Spanish league history. In reaching 101 goals in 92 games, Ronaldo surpassed Real Madrid legend [[Ferenc Puskás]], who scored 100 goals in 105 matches. Ronaldo set a new club mark for individual goals scored in one year (60) and became the first player ever to score against all 19 opposition teams in a single season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17502825 |title=Cristiano Ronaldo is fastest La Liga player to 100 goals |work=BBC Sport |date=24 March 2012 |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=26 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326180128/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17502825 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/laliga/story/jose-mourinho-real-madrid-earn-vindication-after-la-liga-conquest-051312 |title=Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid earn vindication after La Liga conquest |publisher=Msn.foxsports.com |date=13 May 2012 |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=19 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819103326/http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/laliga/story/jose-mourinho-real-madrid-earn-vindication-after-la-liga-conquest-051312 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Real Madrid started the [[2012–13 Real Madrid CF season|2012–13 season]] by winning the [[2012 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]], defeating Barcelona on away goals. However, the super cup turned out to be their only trophy of the season, despite being close to win them all. Real finished runners-up to Barça in [[2012–13 La Liga|La Liga]], accumulating 85 points, and reached the semi-finals of the [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] for the third year in a row, where they were eliminated by [[Borussia Dortmund]] 3–4 on aggregate. Madrid also entered the [[2012–13 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] in the round of 32, going on a memorable run to the [[2013 Copa del Rey Final|final]], which saw them defeat Barcelona in the semi-finals before losing to [[Atlético Madrid]] 1–2 [[Overtime (sports)#Association football|a.e.t.]] Real Madrid faced the ''Blaugrana'' six times throughout the season, coming away with three wins, two draws, and one loss. A major transfer of the season was the signing of [[Luka Modrić]] from [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] for a fee in the region of £33&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1657436-real-madrid-highs-ands-lows-of-their-2013-14-season|title=Real Madrid: Highs and Lows of Their 2012-13 Season|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|work=Samuel Marsden|date=31 May 2013|access-date=1 August 2022|archive-date=1 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801101049/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1657436-real-madrid-highs-ands-lows-of-their-2013-14-season|url-status=live}}</ref> After a loss to Atlético in the Copa del Rey final, Pérez announced the departure of José Mourinho at the end of the season by "mutual agreement".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22583729|title=Jose Mourinho: Real Madrid boss to leave next month|publisher=BBC|date=20 May 2013|access-date=11 February 2018|archive-date=7 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107235347/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22583729|url-status=live}}</ref>

====''La Décima'' and Champions League dominance====
{{football squad on pitch|align=left|clear=none
| GK = [[Iker Casillas|'''Casillas (C)''']]
| RB = [[Dani Carvajal|'''Carvajal''']]
| LCB = [[Raphaël Varane|'''Varane''']]
| RCB = [[Sergio Ramos|'''Ramos''']]
| LB = [[Fábio Coentrão|'''Coentrão''']]
| RCM = [[Luka Modrić|'''Modrić''']]
| DM = [[Sami Khedira|'''Khedira''']]
| LCM = [[Ángel Di María|'''Di María''']]
| LW = [[Cristiano Ronaldo|'''Ronaldo''']]
| RW = [[Gareth Bale|'''Bale''']]
| CF = [[Karim Benzema|'''Benzema''']]
| caption = [[2014 UEFA Champions League Final]] starting lineup, with a front three of Bale, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo (dubbed BBC)}}
[[File:Final Champions League 2014 Real Madrid - Atlético de Madrid (14081181609).jpg|thumb|right|250px|Real Madrid players celebrate the club's historic tenth European Cup / Champions League win (''La Décima'') in 2014.]]
On 25 June 2013, [[Carlo Ancelotti]] succeeded Mourinho to become the manager of Real Madrid on a three-year deal, with Zinedine Zidane named as one of his assistants.<ref name="Ancelotti">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23047006 |title=Carlo Ancelotti named Real Madrid boss, Laurent Blanc joins PSG |work=BBC Sport |date=25 June 2013 |access-date=25 September 2013 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016223011/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23047006 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 September 2013, the long-awaited transfer of [[Gareth Bale]] from [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] was announced. The transfer of the Welshman was reportedly a new world record signing, with the transfer price approximated at €100&nbsp;million.<ref name="realmadrid2">{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/gareth-bale-transfer|title=Gareth Bale transfer|date=1 September 2013|work=Daily Mirror|location=London|access-date=1 September 2013|archive-date=26 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826021621/http://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/gareth-bale-transfer|url-status=live}}</ref> In Ancelotti's [[2013–14 Real Madrid CF season|first season at the club]], Real Madrid fought on all three fronts for the continental treble. Despite leading in the [[2013–14 La Liga|league campaign]] on multiple occasions, Madrid ultimately finished in third place (level on points with [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] and three behind cross-city rivals [[Atlético Madrid]]), collecting 87 points in total and scoring a record 104 goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2075051-real-madrid-claims-la-decima-with-champions-league-win-over-atletico-madrid|title=Real Madrid Claims 'La Decima' with Champions League Win over Atletico Madrid|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|quote=The four goals for Real Madrid—who led La Liga with 104 goals this season—were the most in a Champions League final since AC Milan defeated FC Barcelona 4-0 in 1994.|date=27 May 2014|access-date=22 October 2022|archive-date=24 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024171300/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2075051-real-madrid-claims-la-decima-with-champions-league-win-over-atletico-madrid|url-status=live}}</ref> By that time, ''Los Blancos'' had already secured the [[2013–14 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] – against rivals Barcelona – in April, with Bale scoring the winner.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lowe|first=Sid|title=Real Madrid's Gareth Bale gallops past Barcelona to land Copa del Rey|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/16/barcelona-real-madrid-copa-del-rey-match-report-gareth-bale|access-date=30 April 2014|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=16 April 2014|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415221346/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/16/barcelona-real-madrid-copa-del-rey-match-report-gareth-bale|url-status=live}}</ref> The major breakthrough came in the [[2013–14 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]], where Real returned to the [[2014 UEFA Champions League Final|final]] after twelve years, having beaten defending champions Bayern Munich 5–0 on aggregate in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bayern Munich 0–4 Real Madrid|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27193338|access-date=30 April 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=29 April 2014|archive-date=1 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101121532/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27193338|url-status=live}}</ref> In the final, they defeated then-recently-league winners Atlético Madrid 4–1 [[Overtime (sports)#Association football|a.e.t.]] to clinch their tenth European Cup (first since 2002) and become the first team to win ten European Cups/Champions League titles, an achievement known as "''La Décima''" (Spanish: "The Tenth," {{IPA|es|la ˈðeθima|}}).<ref>{{cite web|title=Real Madrid make history with La Decima|date=26 May 2014|url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/05/26/real-madrid-make-history-with-la-decima/|publisher=euronews.com|access-date=26 May 2014|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125021920/https://www.euronews.com/2014/05/26/real-madrid-make-history-with-la-decima|url-status=live}}</ref> Real's attacking trio of Bale, Benzema and Cristiano, dubbed the BBC, finished the season with 97 goals.<ref>{{cite news |title=200 goals for the BBC |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2015/09/200-goals-by-the-bbc |publisher=Real Madrid CF |date=24 October 2015 |access-date=3 December 2021 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118103246/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2015/09/200-goals-by-the-bbc |url-status=live }}</ref>

After winning the 2014 Champions League, Real Madrid signed goalkeeper [[Keylor Navas]], midfielder [[Toni Kroos]] and attacking midfielder [[James Rodríguez]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/real-madrid-unleash-new-signings-rodriguez-kroos-super-cup-final-1660463.html|title=Real Madrid to unleash new signings Rodriguez and Kroos in Super Cup|magazine=First Post|access-date=14 August 2014|archive-date=15 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915053350/https://www.firstpost.com/sports/real-madrid-unleash-new-signings-rodriguez-kroos-super-cup-final-1660463.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In August, Madrid won the [[2014 UEFA Super Cup]] against Sevilla, the club's 79th official trophy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2014/08/13/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1407909398.html?cdi=WID33801&s_kw=Noticias_Medio_Tiempo_MX_Noticia5|title=Real Madrid ties with Barcelona in trophies|newspaper=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|access-date=14 August 2014|archive-date=14 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814102105/http://www.marca.com/2014/08/13/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1407909398.html?cdi=WID33801&s_kw=Noticias_Medio_Tiempo_MX_Noticia5|url-status=live}}</ref> During the last week of the 2014 summer transfer window, Real Madrid sold two players key to the previous season's successes: [[Xabi Alonso]] to Bayern Munich and [[Ángel Di María]] to Manchester United. This decision by the club was surrounded by controversy, with Cristiano Ronaldo stating, "If I was in charge, maybe I would have done things differently," while Carlo Ancelotti admitted, "We must start again from zero."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/ancelotti-madrid-must-start-again-scratch-135000249.html |title=Ancelotti: Madrid must start again from scratch |work=[[Yahoo! Sports]] |access-date=5 September 2014 |archive-date=5 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905062158/https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/ancelotti-madrid-must-start-again-scratch-135000249.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After a slow start to the [[2014–15 Real Madrid CF season|2014–15 season]], Real Madrid went on a record-breaking 22-match winning streak, which included wins against Barcelona and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], surpassing the previous Spanish record of 18 successive wins set by [[Frank Rijkaard]]'s Barça in the [[2005–06 FC Barcelona season|2005–06 season]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30406666 "Real Madrid stretch winning run as Ronaldo and Gareth Bale score"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106052028/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30406666 |date=6 January 2016 }}. BBC. Retrieved 20 December 2014</ref> In late December, Real Madrid won their first [[2014 FIFA Club World Cup|Club World Cup]], defeating [[San Lorenzo de Almagro|San Lorenzo]] 2–0 in the [[2014 FIFA Club World Cup Final|final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2014/12/2-0-world-champions|title=2–0: World champions!|date=20 December 2014|publisher=Real Madrid C.F.|access-date=1 August 2022|archive-date=2 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102150149/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2014/12/2-0-world-champions|url-status=live}}</ref> The winning streak came to an end in their opening match of 2015 with a loss to Valencia, leaving the club two short of equalling the world record of 24 consecutive wins.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30673410 "Valencia 2 – 1 Real Madrid"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106075551/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30673410 |date=6 January 2016 }}. BBC. Retrieved 4 January 2015</ref> Madrid was in contention for both the [[2014–15 La Liga|La Liga]] title and the [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] until the end but ultimately came up short, finishing with 92 points in the league, two behind treble-winning Barcelona and losing to [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] 2–3 on aggregate in the Champions League semi-finals.<ref>[[2014–15 La Liga]], [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League]]</ref> Ronaldo finished the season scoring 48 league goals, winning his fourth European Golden Shoe, and 61 goals in all competitions, breaking his record from 2011 to 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2465540-comparing-cristiano-ronaldos-201415-stats-to-his-201314-numbers|title = Comparing Cristiano Ronaldo's 2014/15 Stats to His 2013/14 Numbers|website = [[Bleacher Report]]|access-date = 19 May 2022|archive-date = 19 May 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220519135459/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2465540-comparing-cristiano-ronaldos-201415-stats-to-his-201314-numbers|url-status = live}}</ref> Overall, despite playing an attractive attacking football and being the highest scoring team in Europe with 118 league goals,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2015/06/james-and-bale-la-ligas-top-scoring-midfielders|title=James and Bale, La Liga's top scoring midfielders|quote=Fourteen Madrid players have chipped in to score a record 118 goals with which the team closed out the La Liga campaign.|publisher=Real Madrid CF|date=8 June 2015|access-date=22 October 2022|archive-date=22 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022170211/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2015/06/james-and-bale-la-ligas-top-scoring-midfielders|url-status=live}}</ref> several narrow defeats meant that Real finished the season with two trophies out of six possible, which contributed to the dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti on 25 May 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2015/05/florentino-perez-holds-a-press-conference|title=Florentino Pérez holds a press conference|date=25 May 2015|website=Realmadrid.com|access-date=25 May 2015|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116212359/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2015/05/florentino-perez-holds-a-press-conference|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="underthecoshblog.com">{{Cite web |url=https://underthecoshblog.com/2016/06/06/real-madrid-201516-season-review/ |title=Real Madrid 2015/16 Season Review: Real Madrid 2015/16 Season Review |access-date=22 October 2022 |archive-date=24 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024005749/https://underthecoshblog.com/2016/06/06/real-madrid-201516-season-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 3 June 2015, [[Rafael Benítez]] was confirmed as the new Real Madrid manager for the [[2015–16 Real Madrid CF season|2015–16 season]], signing a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11835/9873743/rafa-benitez-named-new-coach-of-real-madrid |title=Rafa Benitez named new coach of Real Madrid |work=Sky Sports |date=3 June 2015 |access-date=3 June 2015 |archive-date=13 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213125935/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11835/9873743/rafa-benitez-named-new-coach-of-real-madrid |url-status=live }}.</ref> Real Madrid remained unbeaten in the [[2015–16 La Liga|league]] until a 3–2 loss at Sevilla on the matchday 11. This was followed by a 0–4 home loss in the first ''Clásico'' of the season against Barcelona. Perhaps, his reign is best remembered by multiple lopsided wins achieved both in La Liga and the [[2015–16 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] (6–0 vs [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]], 8–0 vs [[Malmö FF|Malmö]], 10–2 vs [[Rayo Vallecano]] and others). In the [[2015–16 Copa del Rey#Round of 32|Copa del Rey round of 32]], Real accidentally fielded an ineligible player in a 3–1 first leg win at [[Cádiz CF|Cádiz]] and was disqualified from the tournament two days later by the competition judge, despite protests from president Pérez.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2015/12/02/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1449092541.html|title=Alineación indebida de Cheryshev|trans-title=Unlawful Cheryshev appearance|newspaper=Marca|first=José Félix|last=Díaz|language=es|date=2 December 2015|access-date=2 December 2015|archive-date=3 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203195537/http://www.marca.com/2015/12/02/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1449092541.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35001655|title=Real Madrid not told Cheryshev was ineligible, says president|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=4 December 2015|access-date=4 December 2015|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208120734/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35001655|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="DQ">{{cite news|url=http://cdn1.sefutbol.com/sites/default/files/sanciones/resolucion_1-16_ida_copa_rey_cadiz-r.madrid.pdf|title=Acuerdos y resolución del Juez de Competición acerca de los 1/16 de final de Copa de SM El Rey|publisher=rfef.es|date=4 December 2015|access-date=4 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206154836/http://cdn1.sefutbol.com/sites/default/files/sanciones/resolucion_1-16_ida_copa_rey_cadiz-r.madrid.pdf|archive-date=6 December 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the meantime, Madrid comfortably topped their [[2015–16 UEFA Champions League group stage#Group A|UCL group]] with 16 points and a +16 goal difference. Benítez was relieved of his duties on 4 January 2016 following allegations of unpopularity with supporters, displeasure with players and a failure to produce good results against top teams.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2016/01/zidane-a-club-legend-in-the-real-madrid-dugout|title=Zidane: a club legend in the Real Madrid dugout|publisher=realmadrid.com|date=4 January 2016|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-date=20 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120220536/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2016/01/zidane-a-club-legend-in-the-real-madrid-dugout|url-status=live}}</ref> Benítez's departure was announced along with the promotion of Zinedine Zidane to his first head coaching role.<ref name="Coach Zidane">{{cite web | url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0229-0e930f484246-2c717a89d01b-1000--zidane-replaces-benitez-at-real-madrid/ | title=Zidane replaces Benítez at Real Madrid | website=[[UEFA]] | date=4 January 2016 | access-date=5 January 2016 | archive-date=6 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106214146/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2322281.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Under Zidane, Madrid managed to turn the odds in its favour, ultimately winning the Champions League, something no one expected. The notable results include a 2–1 away victory over reigning treble winners Barcelona, who were on a record-breaking winning streak, a fantastic comeback against [[VfL Wolfsburg|Wolfsburg]] in the Champions League quarter-finals (after losing the away game 0–2, Madrid erased the deficit and won 3–0 at home, courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick), as well as a 12-game winning streak to conclude the league campaign, meaning Real finished second, with 90 points and just one point behind champions Barcelona, coming agonizingly close to clinching the title and overcoming a 12-point deficit in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/la-liga-table/2015|work=Sky Sports|title=2015–16 La Liga Table|date=8 June 2016|access-date=15 June 2017|archive-date=7 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607012146/http://www.skysports.com/la-liga-table/2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Finally, on 28 May, Real Madrid's eleventh Champions League title was won thanks to a 5–3 penalty shoot-out victory over rivals Atlético Madrid after a 1–1 draw in the [[2016 UEFA Champions League Final|final]], with the achievement being termed "''La Undécima''".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2016/05/1-1-la-undecima-is-ours|title=1–1: La Undécima is ours|publisher=Real Madrid|access-date=28 May 2016|archive-date=31 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531062956/http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2016/05/1-1-la-undecima-is-ours|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/022d-0e957c5979eb-37493cb53cd0-1000--spot-on-real-madrid-defeat-atletico-in-final-again/|title=Spot-on Real Madrid defeat Atlético in final again|date=28 May 2016|website=[[UEFA]]|access-date=29 May 2016|archive-date=10 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110225552/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2016/matches/round=2000638/match=2015789/postmatch/report/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="underthecoshblog.com"/>

[[File:Felicidades al Real Madrid, campeón de liga (34014774163).jpg|thumb|right|250px|2016–17 La Liga champions Real Madrid celebrate the title with Community of Madrid President [[Cristina Cifuentes]].]]
Real Madrid began their [[2016–17 Real Madrid CF season|2016–17 campaign]], which was to be Zidane's first full season in charge of the club, with a victory in the [[2016 UEFA Super Cup]] against Sevilla.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/news/0250-0c5111919148-7ee9946e9786-1000--carvajal-wonder-goal-wins-super-cup-for-madrid/|title=Carvajal wonder goal wins Super Cup for Madrid|date=9 August 2016|website=[[UEFA]]|access-date=15 June 2017|publisher=Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)|archive-date=26 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726034128/http://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/season=2016/matches/round=2000778/match=2019261/postmatch/report/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 10 December 2016, Madrid played their 35th-straight match without a loss, which set a new club record.<ref>{{cite news|title=Real Madrid 3–2 Deportivo de La Coruña|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38203086|access-date=10 December 2016|archive-date=31 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831091313/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38203086|url-status=live}}</ref> On 18 December 2016, the club defeated Japanese outfit [[Kashima Antlers]] 4–2 in the [[2016 FIFA Club World Cup Final|final]] of the [[2016 FIFA Club World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=276112/match=300364984/match-report.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220125922/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=276112/match=300364984/match-report.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 December 2016 |title=Madrid see off spirited Kashima in electric extra time final |date=18 December 2016 |access-date=18 December 2016 |publisher=FIFA}}</ref> With a 3–3 draw at Sevilla in the second leg of the [[2016–17 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] round of 16 on 12 January 2017, Madrid progressed to the quarter-finals with a 6–3 aggregate victory and extended its unbeaten run to 40 matches, breaking Barcelona's Spanish record of 39 matches unbeaten in all competitions from the [[2015–16 FC Barcelona season|previous season]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/real-madrid/story/3037193/real-madrid-break-barcelonas-spanish-record-as-unbeaten-run-reaches-40 |title=Real Madrid break Barcelona's Spanish record as unbeaten run reaches 40 |date=12 January 2017 |access-date=27 May 2017 |publisher=ESPN |archive-date=1 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801052008/http://www.espnfc.com/real-madrid/story/3037193/real-madrid-break-barcelonas-spanish-record-as-unbeaten-run-reaches-40 |url-status=live }}</ref> Their unbeaten streak ended after a 1–2 away loss against the same opposition in [[2016–17 La Liga|La Liga]] three days later.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/sevilla-just-snapped-real-madrids-unbeaten-streak-one-match-new-record-011517 |title=Sevilla just snapped Real Madrid's unbeaten streak one match after they set the record |date=15 January 2017 |access-date=27 May 2017 |last=West |first=Aaron |work=Fox Sports |archive-date=13 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513143527/http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/sevilla-just-snapped-real-madrids-unbeaten-streak-one-match-new-record-011517 |url-status=live }}</ref> The team then was knocked out of the Copa del Rey by [[RC Celta de Vigo|Celta Vigo]] 3–4 on aggregate. These slips, however, did not affect the overall trajectory of the season. In May, Madrid won the league title for a record 33rd time, their first title in five years, accumulating 93 points in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39926301|title=Malaga 0–2 Real Madrid|quote=Real Madrid won their first La Liga title since 2012 thanks to a final-day victory at Malaga.|publisher=BBC.com|date=21 May 2017|access-date=11 February 2018|archive-date=16 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616191031/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39926301|url-status=live}}</ref> On 3 June 2017, the club's victory over [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] in the [[2017 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League final]] resulted in Real Madrid becoming the first team to successfully defend their title in the UEFA Champions League era, and the first to win consecutive titles in the competition since [[A.C. Milan|Milan]] in [[1988–89 European Cup|1989]] and [[1989–90 European Cup|1990]], when the tournament was known as the European Cup.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/03/juventus-real-madrid-champions-league-final-match-report|title=Real Madrid win Champions League as Cristiano Ronaldo double defeats Juve|author=Daniel Taylor|work=The Guardian|date=3 June 2017|access-date=3 June 2017|archive-date=3 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603205009/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/03/juventus-real-madrid-champions-league-final-match-report|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0250-0c5117c008df-de0901ea6dae-1000--majestic-real-madrid-win-champions-league-in-cardiff/|title=Majestic Real Madrid win Champions League in Cardiff|author=Andrew Haslam|website=[[UEFA]]|date=3 June 2017|access-date=3 June 2017|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331042605/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2017/matches/round=2000787/match=2019641/postmatch/report/index.html#majestic+real+madrid+champions+league+cardiff|url-status=live}}</ref> Real Madrid's title was its 12th, extending the record, and its third in four years. The achievement is also known as "''La Duodécima''".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/03/sports/champions-league-final-score.html?_r=0|title=Champions League Final: Real Madrid Confirms Its Spot as World's Best|author1=Das, Andrew|author2=Smith, Rory|newspaper=nytimes.com|date=3 June 2017|access-date=3 June 2017|archive-date=30 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230230428/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/03/sports/champions-league-final-score.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2016–17 season was the greatest campaign in terms of trophies won (four out of possible five) in the history of Real Madrid, an achievement that would be later equalled in the [[2017–18 Real Madrid CF season|2017–18 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2017/06/the-best-season-in-history|title=The best season in history|last=Leal|first=Antonio M.|website=Realmadrid.com|date=8 June 2017|access-date=9 June 2017|location=Madrid, Spain|quote=Real Madrid won four titles for the first time in their 115-year history.|publisher=Real Madrid Club de Fútbol|archive-date=9 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609041313/http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2017/06/the-best-season-in-history|url-status=live}}</ref>

Real kicked off the 2017–18 campaign by winning its second consecutive and fourth overall [[UEFA Super Cup]] in a [[2017 UEFA Super Cup|2–1 victory]] against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2017/aug/08/real-madrid-v-manchester-united-super-cup-live |title=Real Madrid v Manchester United: Super Cup – as it happened |website=[[The Guardian]] |date=8 August 2017 |access-date=9 August 2017 |archive-date=26 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426010232/https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2017/aug/08/real-madrid-v-manchester-united-super-cup-live |url-status=live }}</ref> Five days later, Real Madrid beat Barcelona at the [[Camp Nou]] 3–1 in the first leg of the [[2017 Supercopa de España]] and then defeated Barça 2–0 in the return leg, ending their 24 consecutive match scoring record in [[List of El Clásico matches|''El Clásico'' matches]] and winning the second trophy of the season.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/08/16/real-madrid-vs-barcelona-spanish-super-cup-live-score-updates/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/08/16/real-madrid-vs-barcelona-spanish-super-cup-live-score-updates/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title= Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 0 (5–1 on aggregate): Woeful Barca dismissed as Zinedine Zidane's unstoppable side win Super Cup|date=17 August 2017|work=Telegraph|access-date=24 August 2017|last1= Bull|first1= J. J.}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 16 December 2017, Real beat Brazilian club [[Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense|Grêmio]] 1–0 in the [[2017 FIFA Club World Cup|FIFA Club World Cup]] [[2017 FIFA Club World Cup Final|final]] and became the first team to retain the trophy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/ramos-y-el-madrid-redondean-un-ano-historico-en-emiratos-2925318-2925321|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223073615/https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/ramos-y-el-madrid-redondean-un-ano-historico-en-emiratos-2925318-2925321|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 December 2018|title=Ramos and Real make history in the Emirates|work=[[FIFA]]|date=17 December 2017}}</ref> In the [[2017–18 UEFA Champions League]], Madrid once again progressed to the [[2018 UEFA Champions League Final|final]] where they defeated Liverpool 3–1 to become the first club to win three straight titles in the Champions League era, as well as the first team to win three consecutive titles in the European Cup/Champions League since Bayern Munich in [[1975–76 European Cup|1976]]. The trophy also marked Madrid's fourth win in five years and their eighth consecutive semi-finals appearance. On 31 May, only five days after winning the final, Zidane announced his resignation as Real Madrid manager, citing the club's "need for change" as his rationale for departing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/latest-news/a20973571/zinedine-zidane-announces-his-resignation-from-real-madrid/|title=Zinedine Zidane Announces His Resignation From Real Madrid|date=31 May 2018|work=Esquire|access-date=14 June 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=11 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311212221/https://www.esquire.com/uk/latest-news/a20973571/zinedine-zidane-announces-his-resignation-from-real-madrid/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44315700|title=Zinedine Zidane: Real Madrid boss stands down five days after Champions League win|date=31 May 2018|work=BBC Sport|access-date=14 June 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=13 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113121505/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44315700|url-status=live}}</ref> Zidane's and Ronaldo's departures marked the end of the ''Second Galáctico Era'' that yielded four Champions League titles, two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey, two Supercopa de España, three UEFA Super Cups, and three FIFA Club World Cup titles. The team was instrumental in ending Barcelona's dominance, despite the ''Blaugrana'' boasting arguably the greatest collection of talent in history,<ref>{{cite web|title=The 21 greatest sides in history have been ranked by football fans|url=https://www.givemesport.com/1558875-the-21-greatest-sides-in-history-have-been-ranked-by-football-fans|website=givemesport.com|date=28 March 2020|access-date=19 July 2022|archive-date=19 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719102715/https://www.givemesport.com/1558875-the-21-greatest-sides-in-history-have-been-ranked-by-football-fans|url-status=live}}</ref> and overshadowed the Catalans on the European stage.<ref>{{cite web|title=For Real Madrid, Galacticos 2.0 has proven to be more successful than its predecessor|url=https://scroll.in/field/839553/for-real-madrid-galacticos-2-0-has-proven-to-be-more-successful-than-its-predecessor|work=Vyasa Shastry|publisher=scroll.in|date=3 June 2017|access-date=19 July 2022|archive-date=10 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110115953/https://scroll.in/field/839553/for-real-madrid-galacticos-2-0-has-proven-to-be-more-successful-than-its-predecessor|url-status=live}}</ref> Real Madrid was also somewhat notoriously unlucky in its league campaigns throughout these nine years, finishing runners-up with 96, 92 (twice) and 90 points, as well as on 87 points in third place, just three off the league winners.<ref name="Bleacher Report"/>

====Following Ronaldo's departure====
[[File:Real Madrid Club de Fútbol league performance 1929-present.svg|thumb|570x570px|Chart of Real Madrid's league performance 1929–2024]]
On 12 June 2018, Real Madrid named [[Julen Lopetegui]], the head coach of the [[Spain men's national football team|Spanish national team]], as their new manager. It was announced that he would officially begin his managerial duties after the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]]. However, the Spanish national team sacked Lopetegui a day prior to the tournament, stating that he had negotiated terms with the club without informing them.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44459380|title=Julen Lopetegui: Real Madrid name Spain manager as new head coach|date=12 June 2018|work=BBC Sport|access-date=14 June 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=15 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615101656/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44459380|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/13/julen-lopetegui-sacked-spain-manager-real-madrid-job|title=Julen Lopetegui sacked by Spain as Fernando Hierro takes over|last=Lowe|first=Sid|date=13 June 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=14 June 2018|archive-date=1 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101183643/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/13/julen-lopetegui-sacked-spain-manager-real-madrid-job|url-status=live}}</ref> The club then began re-shaping the squad in the summer of 2018, which included the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus for a reported €117 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44785173|title=Cristiano Ronaldo: Juventus sign Real Madrid forward for £99.2m|date=10 July 2018|work=BBC Sport|access-date=10 July 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=10 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710154813/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44785173|url-status=live}}</ref> Madrid began their [[2018–19 Real Madrid CF season|2018–19 campaign]] by losing to Atlético Madrid 2–4 [[Overtime (sports)#Association football|a.e.t.]] in the [[2018 UEFA Super Cup]]. After a 1–5 loss to Barcelona in ''El Clásico'' on 28 October which left Real Madrid in the ninth place with only 14 points after ten games, Lopetegui was dismissed a day later and replaced by then [[Real Madrid Castilla|Castilla]] coach, [[Santiago Solari]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.es/deportes/real-madrid/abci-solari-sentara-banquillo-real-madrid-tras-destitucion-lopetegui-201810291705_video.html |title=Solari se sentará en el banquillo del Real Madrid tras la destitución de Lopetegui |date=29 October 2018 |access-date=29 October 2018 |newspaper=[[ABC (Spain)|ABC]] |language=es |publisher=[[Vocento]] |archive-date=13 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413235328/https://www.abc.es/deportes/real-madrid/abci-solari-sentara-banquillo-real-madrid-tras-destitucion-lopetegui-201810291705_video.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 22 December 2018, Real Madrid beat [[Al Ain FC|Al Ain]] 4–1 in the [[2018 FIFA Club World Cup|FIFA Club World Cup]] and became the outright record winners of the Club World Cup with four titles.<ref name="Real becomes highest trophy holder in FIFA Club World Cup">{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/real-madrid-win-third-successive-global-crown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222230424/https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/real-madrid-win-third-successive-global-crown |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 December 2018 |title=Real Madrid win third successive global crown |website=FIFA.com |publisher=[[FIFA|Fédération Internationale de Football Association]] |date=22 December 2018 |access-date=22 December 2018}}</ref> However, they were then knocked out of the [[2018–19 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] at the semi-final stage by Barcelona, losing 1–4 on aggregate. On 5 March 2019, Real was defeated by [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] 1–4 (3–5 on aggregate) at home, crashing out of the [[2018–19 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] at the round of 16 stage after eight consecutive semi-finals appearances. On 11 March 2019, Real Madrid dismissed Solari and reinstated Zidane as the head coach of the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2019/03/official-announcement|title=Official Announcement|publisher=Real Madrid C.F.|date=11 March 2019|access-date=11 March 2019|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330054737/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2019/03/official-announcement|url-status=live}}</ref> Madrid finished the season with 68 points and a +17 goal difference, its lowest totals since [[2001–02 La Liga|2001–02]] and [[1999–2000 La Liga|1999–2000]] respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.managingmadrid.com/2019/5/23/18632360/real-madrids-2018-2019-season-overview|title=Real Madrid's 2018–2019 Season Overview|publisher=Managing Madrid|date=23 May 2019|access-date=19 July 2022|archive-date=19 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719102715/https://www.managingmadrid.com/2019/5/23/18632360/real-madrids-2018-2019-season-overview|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the summer of 2019, Madrid signed [[Eden Hazard]], [[Luka Jović]], [[Éder Militão]], [[Ferland Mendy]], [[Rodrygo]], [[Reinier Jesus Carvalho|Reinier]] and other players for a total of more than €350 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Real Madrid's strange summer: 16 departures and no new signings |url=https://theathletic.co.uk/2071254/2020/09/21/real-madrid-summer-transfers/ |access-date=13 October 2020 |newspaper=The Athletic |archive-date=17 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017171930/https://theathletic.co.uk/2071254/2020/09/21/real-madrid-summer-transfers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 12 January 2020, Madrid beat cross-city rivals Atlético Madrid in a penalty shootout in the [[2020 Supercopa de España Final|Supercopa de España final]] to win their eleventh title.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51085601|title=Spanish Super Cup: Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid on penalties|date=12 January 2020|work=BBC Sport|access-date=9 February 2020|language=en-GB|archive-date=13 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113072532/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51085601|url-status=live}}</ref> After a three-month hiatus due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Spain|COVID-19 outbreak]] in March 2020, [[2019–20 La Liga|La Liga]] was restarted in June and Madrid won ten games in a row to capture the team's 34th league title, collecting 87 points in total.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2020/07/17/5f10db2146163f3c2c8b45d7.html|title=Real Madrid win the longest LaLiga Santander season|date=17 July 2020|access-date=17 July 2020|website=marca.com|archive-date=21 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721011320/https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2020/07/17/5f10db2146163f3c2c8b45d7.html|url-status=live}}</ref> From the competition's resumption in June and until the end of the [[2020–21 Real Madrid CF season|2020–21 season]], Real temporarily played home fixtures at the [[Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium]], while the Santiago Bernabéu underwent extensive renovations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Navarro |first1=Alberto |title=Real Madrid-Éibar: LaLiga is back {{!}} Real Madrid CF |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2020/06/14/real-madrid-eibar-laliga-is-back |publisher=Real Madrid CF |access-date=14 June 2020 |language=en |date=14 June 2020 |archive-date=18 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318181939/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2020/06/14/real-madrid-eibar-laliga-is-back |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Evening Standard">{{cite news |title=Why are Real Madrid playing at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano and not Santiago Bernabeu? |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/real-madrid-playing-stadium-santiago-bernabeu-estadio-alfredo-di-stefano-el-clasico-b928927.html |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=Evening Standard |date=9 April 2021 |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418105441/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/real-madrid-playing-stadium-santiago-bernabeu-estadio-alfredo-di-stefano-el-clasico-b928927.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Further domestic success and ''La Decimocuarta''====
[[File:Ofrenda de la Liga y la Champions-57-L.Millán (52109310843).jpg|thumb|left|225px|Real Madrid players celebrating the [[Double (association football)#European double|double]] on 29 May 2022, the day after their Champions League victory]]
{{football squad on pitch|align=right|clear=none
| GK = [[Thibaut Courtois|'''Courtois''']]
| RB = [[Dani Carvajal|'''Carvajal''']]
| LCB = [[David Alaba|'''Alaba''']]
| RCB = [[Éder Militão|'''Militão''']]
| LB = [[Ferland Mendy|'''Mendy''']]
| RCM = [[Luka Modrić|'''Modrić''']]
| DM = '''[[Casemiro]]'''
| LCM = [[Toni Kroos|'''Kroos''']]
| LW = [[Vinícius Júnior|'''Vinícius Jr.''']]
| RW = [[Federico Valverde|'''Valverde''']]
| CF = [[Karim Benzema|'''Benzema (C)''']]
| caption = [[2022 UEFA Champions League final]] starting lineup}}
Zidane left a second time on 27 May 2021 after going trophyless [[2020–21 Real Madrid CF season|that season]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57263375|title=Zinedine Zidane leaves Real Madrid for second time as manager|publisher=bbc.com|date=27 May 2021|access-date=27 May 2021|archive-date=27 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527101829/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57263375|url-status=live}}</ref> with Carlo Ancelotti returning to coach the team for the [[2021–22 Real Madrid CF season|2021–22 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2021/06/01/official-announcement-ancelotti|title=Official Announcement: Ancelotti|publisher=realmadrid.com|date=1 June 2021|access-date=1 June 2021|archive-date=1 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601171608/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2021/06/01/official-announcement-ancelotti|url-status=live}}</ref> On the domestic front, he delivered two trophies out of possible three, winning [[2021–22 La Liga|La Liga]] and the [[2021–22 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60018825|title=Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Real Madrid: Luka Modric scores in Super Cup final win|date=16 January 2022|work=BBC Sport|access-date=16 January 2022|archive-date=3 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103190038/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60018825|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2022/01/16/61e481b0ca4741226d8b458c.html |title=Modric and Benzema fire Real Madrid to the Supercopa title |newspaper=Marca |first=Euan |last=Mctear |date=16 January 2022 |access-date=16 January 2022 |archive-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125114735/https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2022/01/16/61e481b0ca4741226d8b458c.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Real Madrid 4–0 Espanyol|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61284264|date=30 April 2022|access-date=30 April 2022|publisher=BBC|archive-date=26 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226184123/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61284264|url-status=live}}</ref> As such, Ancelotti won all six available top trophies at Madrid.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ancelotti completes 'Grand Slam' as Real win title |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61284264 |access-date=30 April 2022 |archive-date=26 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226184123/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61284264 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[2021–22 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], Madrid produced one of the most memorable runs of all time,<ref>{{cite web|title=Champions League final: Real Madrid as plucky underdogs shows how broken football is|author=Paul Macdonald|date=26 May 2022|url=https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/eu-uefa-champions-league/2022/05/real-madrid-plucky-underdogs-shows-how-broken-european-football-has-become/|publisher=footballtransfers.com|access-date=29 May 2022|archive-date=6 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506084732/https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/eu-uefa-champions-league/2022/05/real-madrid-plucky-underdogs-shows-how-broken-european-football-has-become|url-status=live}}</ref> defeating pre-tournament favourites [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/uefa-champions-league-odds-betting-favorites-futures-picks/vhhme9pw6ca51omrp2a41ztkc|author=Simon Borg|title=UEFA Champions League odds, betting favorites & futures picks for 2021-22 tournament|date=14 September 2021|publisher=[[Sporting News|The Sporting News]]|access-date=1 June 2022|archive-date=1 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601102134/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/uefa-champions-league-odds-betting-favorites-futures-picks/vhhme9pw6ca51omrp2a41ztkc|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.as.com/en/2022/03/09/opinion/1646814826_897742.html?|author=Alfredo Relaño|title=Champions League: PSG favourites but history favours Real Madrid|date=9 March 2022|publisher=[[Diario AS]]|access-date=29 May 2022|archive-date=30 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530142450/https://en.as.com/en/2022/03/09/opinion/1646814826_897742.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[2020–21 UEFA Champions League|defending champions]] and favourites [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/chelsea-vs-real-madrid-odds-picks-how-to-watch-live-stream-uefa-champions-league-bets-for-april-6-2022/|title=Chelsea vs. Real Madrid odds, picks, how to watch, live stream: UEFA Champions League bets for April 6, 2022|author=CBS Sports Staff|date=6 April 2022|access-date=1 June 2022|work=[[CBS Sports]]|archive-date=1 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601104520/https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/chelsea-vs-real-madrid-odds-picks-how-to-watch-live-stream-uefa-champions-league-bets-for-april-6-2022/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[2020–21 Premier League|Premier League champions]] and heavy favourites [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Ancelotti fine with underdog role against Manchester City|author=[[Associated Press]]|date=25 April 2022|url=https://www.thescore.com/chlg/news/2346128/|publisher=thescore.com|access-date=29 May 2022|archive-date=16 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416160828/https://www.thescore.com/chlg/news/2346128/|url-status=live}}</ref> all in dramatic fashion,<ref>{{cite web|title=A look back at the road to Paris|url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2022/05/22/a-look-back-at-the-road-to-paris|publisher=Real Madrid CF|date=22 May 2022|access-date=1 August 2022|archive-date=8 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708032045/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2022/05/22/a-look-back-at-the-road-to-paris|url-status=live}}</ref> and setting up the [[2022 UEFA Champions League Final|final]] against Liverpool, who were once again widely considered as favourites,<ref>{{cite web|title=Who will win the Champions League final 2022? Liverpool vs. Real Madrid betting odds|author=Kyle Bonn|date=16 May 2022|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/soccer/news/who-will-win-champions-league-final-2022-liverpool-real-madrid-betting-odds/tj39fz1a8taie7nkzmqqzf8b|publisher=[[Sporting News|The Sporting News]]|access-date=29 May 2022|archive-date=28 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528162321/https://www.sportingnews.com/au/soccer/news/who-will-win-champions-league-final-2022-liverpool-real-madrid-betting-odds/tj39fz1a8taie7nkzmqqzf8b|url-status=live}}</ref> in a rematch of their 2018 encounter. A lone [[Vinícius Júnior]] goal sealed the 14th European Cup for ''Los Blancos'', their fifth in nine years, and Ancelotti's second in charge.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Madrid clinch the Decimocuarta!|author=Javier García|url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2022/05/28/0-1-madrid-clinch-the-decimocuarta|publisher=realmadrid.com|access-date=29 May 2022|archive-date=6 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206093939/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2022/05/28/0-1-madrid-clinch-the-decimocuarta|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Summerscales |first=Robert |title=Carlo Ancelotti Becomes Most Successful Manager In Champions League History |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/carlo-ancelotti-now-most-successful-champions-league-manager |access-date=29 May 2022 |website=Futbol on FanNation |date=28 May 2022 |language=en |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711235747/https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/carlo-ancelotti-now-most-successful-champions-league-manager |url-status=live }}</ref> Real also claimed their fourth ever [[Double (association football)#European double|European double]] (after [[1956–57 Real Madrid CF season|1956–57]], [[1957–58 Real Madrid CF season|1957–58]], and [[2016–17 Real Madrid CF season|2016–17]]). Despite Real's status as the most decorated team in the history of the Champions League, they were not favoured to win that year's edition, and their improbable run was widely considered a surprise.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Real Madrid beats Liverpool 1-0 for 14th European Cup title|author=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/28/real-madrid-beats-liverpool-1-0-for-14th-european-cup-title.html|publisher=[[CNBC]]|access-date=29 May 2022|archive-date=5 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105003337/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/28/real-madrid-beats-liverpool-1-0-for-14th-european-cup-title.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Even more success and ''La Decimoquinta''====
After a highly successful 2021–22 season, Real Madrid signed German defender [[Antonio Rüdiger]] and French midfielder [[Aurélien Tchouaméni]], while club legends Marcelo, Isco, Gareth Bale and Casemiro left the club. Real Madrid's [[2022–23 Real Madrid CF season|2022–23]] season began with lifting the [[UEFA Super Cup]] and later the [[FIFA Club World Cup]]. The season ended with Real Madrid winning the [[2022–23 Copa del Rey]], but losing the La Liga and Spanish Super Cup to [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] and the Champions League to Manchester City, being defeated 5–1 on aggregate.

In 2023, Real Madrid signed [[Jude Bellingham]], who was given the number #5 jersey, previously used by Zinedine Zidane. Real also signed [[Arda Güler]] and [[Fran García (footballer, born 1999)|Fran García]]. Meanwhile, Vinícius Júnior was given the number #7 jersey, previously used by Raúl and Cristiano Ronaldo; while Rodrygo was given the number #11 jersey, previously used by Gareth Bale. [[Karim Benzema]] left the club, while [[Toni Kroos]] would later announce that he would retire from football after this season.

The [[2023–24 Real Madrid CF season|2023–24 season]] would prove to be another highly successful season for Los Blancos. First, Real Madrid lifted the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona 4–1, taking revenge of the previous year's 3–0 defeat. Then, Real Madrid lifted the La Liga with relative ease, reaching 95 points, the second-best winning campaign by Real Madrid in La Liga history after the 2011–12 100 points season. In the [[2023–24 UEFA Champions League]], Real Madrid knocked out [[RB Leipzig]] in the Round of 16, then defending champions [[Manchester City]] in penalties.

In the semifinals, Real Madrid faced [[Bayern Munich]] again. The first match was a 2–2 draw, while the second match in the Bernabéu was marked by a double by [[Joselu]] in the last few minutes of the game, with Bayern Munich suffering a historic comeback after leading 1–0. Real Madrid faced [[Borussia Dortmund]] in the final, and won 2–0, with [[Dani Carvajal]] being the man of the match and scoring with a header after a Toni Kroos corner, and Vinícius Júnior once again scoring in a UCL final. Real Madrid won their 15th Champions League without losing a single match during the campaign. 

Following the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, Real Madrid announced that striker [[Kylian Mbappé]] would be joining the club on a free transfer from [[Paris Saint-Germain]] in July 2024, concluding one of the most highly anticipated transfer sagas in modern history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Real Madrid CF {{!}} Web Oficial del Real Madrid CF |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/es-ES |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Real Madrid CF {{!}} Web Oficial del Real Madrid CF |language=es}}</ref> On 18 December 2024, Real Madrid clinched their second trophy of the season, uplifting the inaugural [[2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup]] by beating [[C.F. Pachuca|Pachuca]] 3–0.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-12-19 |title=Real Madrid clinch Intercontinental Cup title with 3-0 win over Pachuca {{!}} New Straits Times |url=https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2024/12/1150234/real-madrid-clinch-intercontinental-cup-title-3-0-win-over-pachuca |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=NST Online |language=en}}</ref>