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Real Madrid are already Europe's best - and they are only getting stronger and stronger.

Real Madrid dominated Europe last season with a LaLiga and Champions League double, beating Borussia Dortmund at Wembley to claim their 15th European cup.

European champions Madrid look set to be even stronger next season
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European champions Madrid look set to be even stronger next seasonCredit: Getty

No one else comes close to Los Blancos in Europe, with AC Milan holding the second-most with seven and many will tremble at Real's XI next season.

Jude Bellingham signed for Real Madrid last summer from Borussia Dortmund and immediately led them to success with 23 goals in his debut campaign.

Kylian Mbappe penned a jaw-dropping contract this year after his deal at Paris Saint-Germain expired, adding even more firepower to the side.

The 25-year-old scored 44 goals in all competitions and will hope that he can hit the ground running at the Bernabeu after a below-par European Championship with France.

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Nevertheless, both players are in contention to win the Ballon d'Or this season after their brilliant campaigns at club level.

And they are not the only two with Real duo Vinicius Jr and Dani Carvajal also in the conversation.

Vinicius Jr finished the season as Madrid's top scorer with 24 goals in all competitions, also adding 11 assists, as Real won the double.

Carvajal, meanwhile, became one of only 12 players to win both the Champions League and European Championship final in the same season.

Bellingham spearheaded Madrid to LaLiga and Champions League glory in his first season in Spain
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Bellingham spearheaded Madrid to LaLiga and Champions League glory in his first season in SpainCredit: Getty
Mbappe will light up the Bernabeu next season
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Mbappe will light up the Bernabeu next seasonCredit: Getty

The right-back scored the opening goal in the Champions League final against Dortmund and was crucial to Spain's Euro 2024 victory.

However, a full-back has never won the Ballon d'Or and the odds might be stacked against the 32-year-old.

Kylian Mbappe gets officially unveiled to the Real Madrid fans in fully packed Bernabéu Stadium

But the fact that Real Madrid could put forward four players who all have a good shout of winning the coveted individual prize makes them a terrifying outfit - and talkSPORT has given a full list of potential Ballon d'Or winners this year.

Especially for any side who might come up against them in Europe, including Premier League quartet Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa.

With the Champions League format changing, it will see more games played than ever, meaning all four have a bigger chance of playing Real Madrid.

While City might have beaten them en route to their European glory in 2023, they were swatted aside with ease the following year to give Pep Guardiola cause for concern.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have not beaten Real since 2009, losing two finals in that time period in 2022 and 2018 while Arsenal actually have the best record against them, having won 1-0 over two legs in 2006.

Aston Villa, though, have never faced Real Madrid, though taking them on at Villa Park would certainly be quite the occasion in Birmingham after a sensational season finishing fourth in the Premier League.

Alexander-Arnold could join Bellingham at Real Madrid
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Alexander-Arnold could join Bellingham at Real MadridCredit: Getty

While Real's team is already rife with talent, they are showing no signs of letting up and talkSPORT understands that they are keen on a move for Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The England international has one year left on his contract and Bellingham has been keen to bring his pal to the Bernabeu while the 25-year-old might be seen as the successor to Carvajal at right-back.

Real are also interested in a young centre-back, having missed out on Leny Yoro, who looks set to join Manchester United, and Riccardo Calafiori, where Arsenal are the favourites.

With defenders David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger in their 30s, new blood is being sought after to refresh their backline, though another target has yet to come to light.

Real's midfield has long been held together by Toni Kroos and Luka Modric but this will make way with the former retiring and the latter set to turn 39 in September.

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Alexander-Arnold could play in midfield if he joins while Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni are all top talents themselves, though the latter has played plenty in defence for Madrid.

But it will be interesting to see how Carlo Ancelotti utilises Mbappe in attack alongside Bellingham and Vinicius Jr, a formidable trio if they can work together.

How Real Madrid could line-up this season
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How Real Madrid could line-up this season
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