For the first time in a quarter of a century, Real Madrid enters a season without a Ballon d’Or winner in its squad, a moment that marks the close of a golden chapter in the club's illustrious history.

Since the year 2000, the Santiago Bernabéu has been the home of football royalty. Legends like Ronaldo Nazário, Zinedine Zidane, Luís Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, and Karim Benzema didn’t just grace the pitch in white—they defined eras and collected the game’s highest individual honor. Even players such as Michael Owen and Kaká, who won the Ballon d’Or before their Madrid days, contributed to the club's aura of excellence.

With Modric’s recent departure, Real Madrid now finds itself without a single Ballon d’Or winner in the squad for the first time in 25 years. It’s a symbolic moment—an end to a cycle rich with individual and collective brilliance.

Yet, it’s not a cause for concern; it's a sign of evolution. The future is already taking shape. With Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr. leading the new generation, Madrid is poised to build a fresh legacy. Each of these young stars has the potential to claim the Ballon d’Or themselves and carry forward the tradition of greatness.

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The era of past giants may be over, but the next chapter is already being written—one full of promise, ambition, and the pursuit of football’s ultimate prize.