The 2018-19 campaign was a season of profound disappointment and dramatic transition for Real Madrid, widely considered one of the worst in their modern history, as Los Blancos ultimately finished a distant 3rd in La Liga. It was the first season without Cristiano Ronaldo and was marred by three managerial changes and a crushing Round of 16 exit from the Champions League, ending their three-year European reign. Leading the charge, however, was the resurgent Karim Benzema, whose 21 goals in the league proved he was ready to become the team's talisman. Despite featuring club captain Sergio Ramos, the year was defined by instability and the ultimate failure to compete for the biggest honors, with their only major silverware being the FIFA Club World Cup.