A Real Madrid of veterans and newcomers

In this season, an event that has never been seen in the 21st century takes place in Real Madrid. For the first time, players aged 31 or older exceeded 30% of the minutes played (32.45%). Furthermore, 9.84% of minutes were played by players aged 20 or younger; with Bellingham and Camavinga -until November 10 when he turned 21- as protagonists. The third highest number in the last 24 campaigns. Veterans and newcomers, as the club anthem says.

Some data, from BeSoccer Pro for EFE, contrasting the age group 26 to 30 years old. It is, so far this season and comparing it to the rest of the campaigns in the 21st century, the one with the least popularity in minutes (16.78%). The percentage that comes closest is the 2008-2009 campaign (21.96%).

Veterans

The weight of veterans on the team, actively and not just through locker room management, is an important part of a team’s success. real Madrid This year it has already won the Spanish Super Cup, it is the leader of LaLiga EA Sports and on April 9 it will start playing in the quarterfinals of the Champions League against Manchester City.

32.45% of minutes are shared by players age 31 or older. And, divided into bands -variable, according to birthdays throughout the season-, from 31 to 33 is 24.16%; while 34 or older is 8.29%.

A final section where Luka Modric He is the hero par excellence. At 38 years old, his role with the team has diminished, but he still accumulates 1,614 minutes.

To these we must add the contributors Kroos, Nacho –both turned 34 in January – and Joselu -birthday in March- to reach 3,362 total minutes.

8.29% that does not exceed the percentage of minutes of players of 34 or more from last season (11.06%) – the most in the 21st century -; driven by a Karim Benzema who left last summer.

Of course, in the 31-33 age group, no era in the 21st century beats it. A total of 9,798 minutes in his legs, shared among seven players – Courtois He fell into this age range, but missed the season due to injury.

Dani Carvajal (2,474), Joselu Mato (1,554), Toni Kroos (1,522), David Alaba (1,407) -injured in December-, Lucas Vázquez (1,281), Nacho Fernández (1,290) and Antonio Rüdiger (270) -turned 31 on March 3-. This is the list of veterans who still have a lot to say to Real Madrid.

Of them, four have no guaranteed contracts for next season. Part of part. Toni Kroos, Lucas Vázquez and Nacho Fernández They intend to renew their link with the white team for another year; while Joselu Mato –13 goals scored – he is hopeful and confident that Real Madrid will acquire his services permanently, after completing his loan from the Spaniard at the end of the season.

Beginners

An importance of veterans mixing with successful youth commitment from the Real Madrid offices. Of the 26 to 30 age group with the lowest importance of minutes (16.78%) so far in the 21st century, those aged 20 or under come out as the third most important in the same period: 9.84%; just behind the 2007-2008 campaign’s 10.07% and the 2006-2007 campaign’s 12.89%.

A number explained, primarily, to a soccer player: Jude Bellingham. At 20 years old – the second youngest footballer in the squad, just behind Arda Güler- has been indispensable for Ancelotti: 2,676 minutes.

His 20 goals and 9 assists in 31 games justify the 103 million euros and 30 in variables that the white club paid Borussia Dortmund last summer to acquire his services.

A determined roadmap to find young talent where the real Madrid It is already reaping its fruits. From 21 to 25 years old, that’s the age group with the most minutes (16,599 total, 40.93%) this season.

Eduardo Camavinga -turned 21 in January-, Vinícius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, Aurelien Tchoauméni, Fran García, Brahim Díaz, Andriy Lunin and Federico Valverde. The eight footballers who support the future of a Real Madrid where the veterans still have a lot to say.