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Florentino Pérez's approach at Real Madrid: buy the biggest names in world football regardless of team balance. The first wave (2000-2006) brought Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo, and Beckham. It sold shirts and made headlines but didn't always work on the pitch. The policy returned in 2009 with Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, and later Bale. It turned Real Madrid into the world's most valuable club, even when the footballing results were mixed.
The 2002 Champions League final epitomized the Galácticos era - Zinedine Zidane's stunning volley secured Real Madrid's ninth European Cup, showcasing the individual brilliance that defined the philosophy.
Robbie
Feb 4, 2026
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