Zidane plans a sweet transition for the 'sacred cows'

ANDhe Madrid is immersed in a silent but relentless process of transformation. The backbone of the footballers who were vital to the conquest of four Champions in five seasons (Ramos, Marcelo, Modric and Benzema, who should be joined by Keylor and Cristiano, who have already left) are over 30 years old. Zidane will have a lot to do with that work. In the past campaign, for example, his pulse did not tremble when managing the sorpasso from Mendy to Marcelo.

Of the 35 footballers who currently make up the first team there are only seven who are 30 years or older. They are Modric and Sergio Ramos (both 34), Marcelo and Benzema (both 32), Bale (31) and Kroos and Nacho (both 30). None have a contract beyond 2022 except Kroos, who has it until 2023. Of all of them, it seems that Madrid only has the German and Ramos, which ends in 2022 and will renew two years (and not one as Real intended Madrid) for the hierarchy it has in the squad and for the good performance it gave last season, largely responsible for the league title.

There are special cases, like Modric's. Real Madrid and the player have spoken and agreed that there is no rush to face a future renewal. They will engage in talks again in January, and depending on the situation, a decision will be made. In any case, the Croatian, who ends in 2021, can only renew one more season.

They are all names that have been fundamental in the successes of Real Madrid in recent years but that, due to the inexorable passage of time, must give way to the new generations, the Vinicius, Rodrygo, Brahim, Kubo, Valverde, Asensio, Ceballos and company …