England's post-Kane era finally looks far more rosy

It's too easy for Mayra Ramirez! Clinical Chelsea are looking ominous

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Santos, Doak & eight best Premier League loanees of the season

Saudi Arabia or MLS beckons for Pogba after Juve release

Kroos opens door to Real Madrid return 

'Please leave him alone!' - Deschamps sends out Mbappe plea

Ronaldo stunner the cherry on top for five-star Portugal 

Szoboszlai in tears as Netherlands vs Hungary is halted

Why Ronaldo has been released from the Portugal squad

Rashford branded a 'clown' after attending New York Knicks game

Amorim insists youth is no excuse for Mainoo and Co

Ronaldo sets clear timeline for retirement

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Real continue to lure the superstars</li><li>Their sporting success is a major appeal</li><li>History &amp; heritage make them the "biggest draw"</li></ul>

Real appeal! Why Jude Bellingham, Endrick & Kylian Mbappe moved to Madrid instead of earning ‘more money elsewhere’

LaLiga

Leganes

Real Madrid

Real Madrid have substantially reduced their transfer budget in recent years in comparison to their Galacticos era, but have still managed to secure some of the world’s best talents. From English sensation Bellingham to Brazilian prodigy Endrick, Real are still the biggest draw in the game, even when other clubs offer more lucrative financial packages.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Madrid’s acquisition of Jude Bellingham in 2023 for £88.5 million ($116.4m) is already being hailed as a masterstroke. Mbappe, meanwhile, was a free transfer after his departure from Paris Saint-Germain in June, albeit Real still reportedly paid a hefty £120 million signing bonus. Similarly, the signings of Brazilian stars Endrick, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr have further underscored Real Madrid’s ability to secure future stars at reasonable prices compared to the exorbitant figures seen elsewhere.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes the allure of wearing the famous white jersey, combined with the club’s rich history and unparalleled ambitions, has allowed Real Madrid to land the stars at the Santiago Bernabeu.In an interview with <a href="https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/guillem-balague-kylian-mbappe-and-co-could-have-earned-more-elsewhere-but-the-white-shirt-of-real-madrid-is-something-no-club-can-compete-with-theyre-still-the-biggest-draw" target="_blank">FourFourTwo</a>, he said: "Prestige. We’ve seen again and again that when it comes to prestige, Real Madrid are ahead of everybody else. Mbappe, Endrick, Bellingham and other stars could have gone anywhere and could have earned more money elsewhere. However, the white shirt, the history, and the ambition of Real Madrid are things no other club can compete with. They’re still the biggest draw.”

WHAT GUILLEM BALAGUE SAID

Despite being named the world’s richest football club by Forbes in July 2024 - with an impressive revenue of £713 million for the 2023-24 season - Real Madrid’s finances are not as fluid as one might think. The club has had to balance significant debts, comply with UEFA’s strict profitability regulations, and finance the extensive £1.5 billion renovation of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, which was completed in September 2023. Moreover, they are competing against billionaire owners or state-funded projects which have further made their operations difficult.“In terms of on-field success, marketing and merchandise, they’re ahead of rivals,” Balague says. “But they’re competing with clubs backed by billionaires and entire states: the likes of Manchester City, PSG, even Newcastle. They’re unable to offer the type of fees others can. The European Super League is seen as a way to redress that balance.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Real Madrid remain in a league of their own when it comes to prestige and legacy, which is why contemporary superstars are drawn to the Spanish giants to become part of a legendary institution that has shaped the history of club football. Los Blancos will begin their latest Champions League defence on Tuesday against Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu, which will mark the debut of Mbappe in a white jersey in Europe's elite competition.

WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Real appeal! Why Jude Bellingham, Endrick & Kylian Mbappe moved to Madrid instead of earning ‘more money elsewhere’ | Goal.com

Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Endrick chose Real Madrid instead of earning &quot;more money elsewhere&quot; because of their unmatched &quot;prestige&quot;.