The more than likely arrival of Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid this coming summer, something that is already taken for granted in the Valdebebas offices, puts the white club before a somewhat paradoxical and surprising dilemma: too many good players for too few positions. Within the club, the need to get rid of a player is considered simply because not all of them fit and having them on the bench without playing is usually a source of problems.
The most obvious case of overpopulation is the left wing position, where Mbappé and Vinícius will compete, but also the area of the field where Rodrygo moves best. The first impression is that Mbappé is untouchable and if he has decided to come it is, among other things, because he is going to play where he likes the most. However, against that are the statements of Ancelotti, renewed until June 2026. The Italian has had enough of saying that Vinícius is the best in the world in his area and that there he is untouchable. It is true that Ancelotti is known for his pragmatism.
The arrival of Mbappé is not going to be cheap either and Madrid will have to refine the salary limit. Although Mbappé is offered a good part of his image rights to make personal cash, a sale of some star would help the treasury.
With Mpabbé becoming the icon of the new team (with Vinícius and Bellingham at his side) everything indicates that the sacrificed could be Rodrygo. But it's not going to be such an easy choice. At 23 years old and already in his fifth season in the first team, Rodrygo points out qualities that Vinícius does not have at all. Without having his explosiveness or his overflow, Rodrygo is much more versatile, he accommodates himself along the entire front of the attack and above all he does not pose the continuous conflicts that Vinícius brings with his provocations and rudeness to referees and rivals.
Rodrygo is very liked by Florentino Pérez and Ancelotti. Madrid already received important offers for him last summer and rejected them, including one from the Premier League for 125 million. Club sources also highlight that Rodrygo's environment is very good (with very young parents) while Vinícius's is very toxic, with close relatives determined to make him a reference for anti-racial struggles, a path that the player has decided to continue with firm steps against all odds.
The problems of an abundance of stars in Madrid are not limited to the left wing. For the nine position there will be Endrick, who turns 18 on July 21, and Joselu, 31 since March, but with whom it has already been decided to exercise the purchase option from Espanyol for 1.5 million euros. A bargain. Also competing with Rodrygo on the right is Brahim (24 years old), an ambidextrous player who can play anywhere.
There is also a lot of competition in the center of the field. Kroos is considered renewed and certain are Bellingham (20 years old), Valverde (25), Camavinga (21), and Tchouaméni (24). Arda Güler (19) likes it and does not want to go on loan. Modric (38) wants to renew for another year, which the club does not like very much. Ceballos has a contract, but a destination will be sought for him.
It is not the first time that Florentino Pérez's Madrid has let stars leave because they did not have a place in the team or were not comfortable with the role to which they were assigned. The last case was that of Marco Asensio, one of the players most loved by the fans. Similar was what happened with Mesut Özil so Gareth Bale came in. Or Robben with Cristiano Ronaldo. And players who wanted to extend their careers at the club longer, such as Fernando Redondo, Hierro, Pepe, Guti, Raúl, Casillas or Ramos, also left.
Next summer looks hot.
