Why Cristiano Ronaldo is still Real Madrid’s most important player

Bence Bocsák

Updated: 29 Jul 2024 14:04 BST
4 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid — © IMAGO

Cristiano Ronaldo has never really left Real Madrid. His legacy continues even today and the club's latest transfer activity is proof.

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Even in a club as great as Real Madrid, there is one player who stands head and shoulders above the rest. Few players in world football will leave as big of a legacy as Cristiano Ronaldo has done in the game.

At 39 years old, he may be a shadow of the player he once was but that should not tarnish the achievements and the influence he had at Real Madrid for close to a decade.

Ronaldo won four Champions League trophies at Real, including three in a row making the club a formidable force in European football at the time.

That legacy has never left even after his departure. Real Madrid continue to dominate European football and those younger players continue to flock to the Spanish giants as the most desirable destination in club football.

Ask around today's younger generation and Ronaldo is the player to whom most young aspiring footballers look up to. It is why they all want to play for Real Madrid - to continue to build on the legacy he has built.

© IMAGO - Cristiano Ronaldo's legacy endures at Real Madrid.

How Ronaldo has inspired Mbappe and Endrick

The recent transfers of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick are perfect examples of Ronaldo's influence.

Mbappe used to have posters of Ronaldo and Real Madrid on his wall as a kid and spoke about his dream of joining the club from a young age when he officially became the club's new no.9 earlier this month.

Even as recently as last month when Mbappe's France took on Ronaldo's Portugal at Euro 2024, Mbappe was full of praise for the Portuguese international speaking ahead of the game in the press conference.

"It’s an honour. It’s the admiration I’ve always had for Cristiano, for the player," Mbappe said.

"Over time, I’ve had the chance to get to know him and talk to him many times. We’re still in touch. He’s always trying to give me advice and keep up to date with what’s going on.

“It’s a pleasure. Playing against him is an honour for everything he’s done in football. No matter what happened before or what happens after, he’ll always be a legend of the game. But of course we hope to win tomorrow and reach the semi-finals.”

Last week, Brazilian wonderkid sensation, Endrick was officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player.

The youngster broke into tears upon his unveiling and when he was later asked why he referenced Cristiano Ronaldo as the reason why his move to Real Madrid was a dream come true.

“I hadn’t planned it [crying], but I’ve loved Real Madrid since I was a kid," Endrick told reporters.

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Endrick

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Real Madrid

Endrick

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"I saw Cristiano Ronaldo and because of him I wanted to know a bit more about Real Madrid. Years ago I looked up all the idols, also [Emilio] Butragueno. Since I was a child I was in love with Real Madrid. I didn’t want to cry, but it came from my soul.”

Ronaldo may have last kicked a football for Real Madrid six years ago, but Endrick and Mbappe show the legacy he has left still makes him one of the club's most attractive assets - or even still to this day their most important player.