Defense midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is one of Real Madrid’s most important players. There is a lot of respect and love for the team’s star forwards, Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde, for the 2024–25 season.

Tchouameni is one of the best No. 6s in the world. He screens the defense so well that he can play center back by himself and make beautiful passes thanks to his smarts and strong body. He is the only player on Real Madrid who can do what he does.

To begin the 2024–25 Champions League season, Real Stuttgart 3-1. Tchouameni did not get enough attention, but there is one pass that everyone should look at again.

Tchouameni quickly looked over his shoulder from his own half and then hit the ball across his body with one touch. It skipped into the final third and Rodrygo Goes, who was on the right wing, was right there to score.

As the defender hurriedly raised his leg to block the ball, it skipped right in front of him and over his leg. He only had to run into open space and pass the ball to Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe scored Real Madrid’s first goal against Stuttgart, giving them a 1-0 lead. It was his fifth goal of the season.

That beautiful scene was put together in an instant, and it made me think of when Jose Mourinho was at the top of his game as Real Madrid’s manager. With that beautiful pass to Rodrygo before he set up Mbappe’s goal, Tchouameni made Madrid fans think of the great Toni Kroos or Xabi Alonso.