Real Madrid made football history in 2024 by achieving an exceptional feat. One that highlights the widening gap between them and their historic rivals, FC Barcelona.

Under Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid have made fools of Barcelona in one calendar year. With the likes of Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham on fire, the Casa Blanca began the year by winning the Spanish Supercup in January, a triumph that laid the foundations for an exceptional season. After that, the Merengues went from strength to strength. In La Liga, they dominated their opponents to secure the title, far outstripping Barcelona, who never really threatened.

The Champions League, once dubbed ‘Real’s competition’, was the scene of a new epic. Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid side brilliantly eliminated Manchester City and Bayern Munich before triumphing over Borussia Dortmund in an epic final in London. The European Supercup, won in Warsaw against Atalanta, and the Intercontinental Cup, won in December against Pachuca, crowned a historic year for Spain’s best club.

Real Madrid’s exceptional year and the contrast with Barça

While Real Madrid were reaping the rewards, Barça were having a blank year. Since 2018, the Blaugrana have won just five major trophies: two Ligas (2019, 2023), two Spanish Supercups (2019, 2023) and one Copa del Rey (2021). These figures, modest for a club of this stature, are totally worrying.

By comparison, Real Madrid managed to win those same five trophies in just twelve months. The difference between these two diametrically opposed approaches speaks for itself. While Real Madrid have managed to combine ambition and efficiency, Barça, who have had all the problems in the world since the departure of Neymar, seem to have got bogged down in questionable strategic choices. Between the fiasco of the mercatos, with several hundred million euros thrown out of the window, and the failure of coaches such as Enersto Valverde, Quique Setein, Ronald Koeman and Xavi Hernandez, the Blaugrana club has been completely ridiculed by Real Madrid in just one calendar year.

The enduring dominance of Carlo Ancelotti’s men

The year 2024 is part of a wider trend. Since 2017, Real Madrid have been steadily piling up titles and consolidating their status as a global benchmark. In ten years, the club managed by Florentino Pérez has maintained a solid structure and attracted world-class players, while effectively renewing its squad.

‘It’s been a historic year for our club. 2024 has been a year full of titles, five in football and three in basketball. We are living through one of the most victorious and important stages in our history, with 57 titles in the last 14 years. I would like to highlight the development of our women’s team over these four years in La Liga, being runners-up in La Liga last season and four consecutive years in the Champions League. We are continuing to contribute to the growth of women’s football in this country,’ said Florentino Perez in his traditional Christmas address.

The arrival of stars such as Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé has strengthened an already impressive squad, complemented by the likes of Luka Modrić, Vinícius Jr and Fédérico Valverde. This strategy contrasts with that of Barcelona, who have sometimes gambled on costly recruits with little return, and have struggled to find sporting stability. This year of failure should serve as a wake-up call for Barcelona. Despite an academy renowned for producing talents such as Gavi and Lamine Yamal, the club seems to lack consistency in its management and recruitment. What is certain is that Real Madrid are not tired of winning and will continue to frustrate the Blaugrana.