Cristiano Ronaldo has written his name in Real Madrid folklore despite still having a few good years left in his career. Since joining Los Blancos, he has already become one of the greatest players to have ever donned the white shirt.
The man has managed to break almost every single record for the club at the time reaching several personal landmarks as well. After winning the Ballon d’Or in December of last year he became only the second footballer to win the award twice.
But at some point, he will hang up his boots or even lose his place as the main man in the first team. There is no doubt Real Madrid are already on the lookout to find the player who can replace the Portuguese in the future as the next talisman.
So here are 5 players who cold take over that mantle in the future.
#5 Antoine Griezmann
Atletico Madrid’s Frenchman Antoine Griezmann might not move to Real Madrid this summer but the deal happening can never be ruled out. The forward can play in a plethora of positions up top and has an eye for a pass as well.
Like Ronaldo, he started out on the left wing but has in recent seasons taken up a more central position. Diego Simeone is responsible for the transformation of the player from a winger to a regular goalscorer.
Griezmann has always envied the success Ronaldo has enjoyed at Real Madrid. He finished third int eh Ballon d’Or standings this year behind Ronaldo and Messi and was clearly disappointed for not being able to match up to the Portuguese’s standards.
He earlier his pride in being considered amongst the top 3 in the world but also expressed his desire to become better.
“I am happy to be in the top three and I thank those who voted for me. I'm on the right track, we have to keep working. Messi and Ronaldo are two monsters, two legends. To be behind them is a pride and a joy. It is necessary to continue to score, to work, to take pleasure and to give to the supporters.”
He might be playing for Madrid rivals but he could still change his mind a few years down the line.
#4 Marco Asensio
Real Madrid were not known for their promotion of youth, with Florentino Perez focusing on spending huge amounts of money as part of his now famed Galactico project. But after Zinedine Zidane has taken charge of the club there has been a shift in that policy.
The Frenchman has put emphasis on promoting youth players to the first team. The likes of Lucas Vasquez and Marco Asensio have established themselves as regulars ahead of the likes of Isco and James Rodriguez.
Asensio has been particularly impressive this season scoring 7 goals and also notching up an assist. Not bad for a 20-year-old playing in a team full of superstars like Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.
Asensio is touted for a very bright future at Madrid and if he continues to keep his head down and put in performances like he has been so far he could become a very important player for Madrid.
Asensio has a bag full of tricks and can play as an attacking midfielder or on either wing. He has formed a great partnership with his fellow teammates and Zidane’s faith in the youngster seems to have paid off.
#3 Paulo Dybala
Paulo Dybala has been constantly linked to Real Madrid in recent months. There are also reports that a deal for his signature in the summer has already been agreed in principle. But the Argentine has not been in the best of form this season.
There is no doubting his immense potential and he can definitely become one of the world’s best in years to come which is why both Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested in his signature.
Dybala was already one of the hottest prospects around when he was at Palermo when both Spanish giants tried to sign the player at a lower cost but Juventus beat them to it. Since then he has become a regular fixture.
This year with the signing of Gonzalo Higuain, Dybala’s importance and opportunities in the team have reduced. He still has a decent return this season having managed 6 goals and 4 assists in 18 appearances.
Dybala has the potential to be one of the best strikers in the world.He is still only 23 and could be on his way to big things in the future if Real Madrid is his most likely destination.
#2 Eden Hazard
If Real Madrid are looking for a ready-made replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, then they should look no further than Chelsea wing wizard Eden Hazard. The player is an absolute delight to watch and can cause any defence in the world a nightmare.
He has several similar qualities to that of Cristiano Ronaldo. He plays on the left, can shoot with both feet, can dribble with pace and has an eye for goal which is probably the most important quality to have.
Hazard can also play in the No 10. role, which has been a problematic issue for Zidane when Luka Modric has not been available.He would slot into the Real Madrid without much effort being one of the best players in the world.
He has also not made it a secret that he someday hopes to join Los Blancos as well. It could have happened las summer but because of his poor season with Chelsea, the club were slightly put off by his price tag.
But now he is once again leading the Blues’ title charge as their leading man. It might not be long before Real Madrid reignite their interest in the versatile Belgian.
#1 Gareth Bale
Real Madrid’s reliance on Ronaldo has waned in the last couple of years thanks in no small part to the contribution of Gareth Bale. The Welshman has turned into one of the best players in the world at the club and is also a fan favourite.
He had his best season in the white of Madrid in 2015/16 as the club went on to win their 11th Champions League trophy. Bale and Ronaldo don’t seem to share the best of relationships though because the Portuguese has become aware of the latter’s rise to prominence.
There is only one aspect that is stopping the winger to reach the heights Ronaldo has hit at the club and that is his fitness. Ever since his arrival at the Bernabeu, the 27-year-old has suffered several muscular injuries with his latest once coming late in 2016.
This has to be arguably his longest spell on the sidelines with the club expecting him to make his return only in March. it comes as a huge disappointment to the club seeing as to how well he had started the campaign even outscoring Ronaldo at one point.
Having signed a new long-term contract, Bale has yet to prove his ability to consistently be at the top level. If he can manage to keep himself fit, the club will not have to look elsewhere to find a talisman as they already have one in Gareth Bale.
