Economic power has been one of the hallmarks of the Real Madrid for much of the 21st century. The white set, since the arrival of Florentine Perez to the presidency, he has starred in historical signings at the stroke of a checkbook as Figo, Zidane, Christian or Bale, all of them, with record figures for their times. For his part, Athletic of MadridA victim of poor results (including a decline), he lived for more than a decade forced to survive by incorporating second-tier players or promising youngsters seeking to return to the elite, but never making large investments.
The politics of both have changed radically in recent years. Madrid has gone down a notch with respect to other more powerful clubs economically such as PSG or Manchester City. Now, beyond some exceptions, he has focused on signing promises from which he can get sports (and economic) profit in the medium-long term. On the other hand, the important income that the mattress group has had in recent years have allowed it to make millionaire incorporations, at the height of its neighbor.
In the last five years, Atlético has been the team from the capital that has spent the most on signings. A total of 682.5 million euros. It was in 2019/2020 when he invested the most: 248.1. Much of that money corresponds to the incorporation of Joao Felix (127). The Portuguese is an example of Atleti's policy change: Madrid never spent so much on a footballer. The mattress team now spends its income on top-level players with the idea of staying at the top. These profits come from your sales (Griezmann for 120, Rodrigo by 70, etc …) and to be able to classify Champions every year and, as a general rule, overcome several heats.
For its part, Madrid has notably lowered the pace of spending: 558.5 million in the last five years, probably in contention for the reform of the stadium, for which he requested a loan of 570 million. In the last market it did not incorporate any footballer, and in 2016/17 it was limited to recovering Morata (30). His most important investment also came in 2019/2020, in which he dedicated 330 million to transfers, including that of Eden Hazard (100). However, it is clear that the white team focuses on incorporating young people: Of his 16 signings in these five years, only the Belgian and Mariano were over 25 years old.
This last season both have been badly hit. Atlético has been able to incorporate players thanks to the sales of Thomas, Morata Y Caio Henrique, but he is obliged to improve his accounts in the coming years through good results and new transfers. For its part, Madrid has decided to spend a transition year without making signings so as not to further weaken the club's treasury, but this can allow you to spend more in the next market, in which he will go for a crack. Both hope to balance the situation in the next two years.