After a strong performance against Bayern in Germany, Real Madrid was eliminated from the Champions League and now can only aim to win La Liga, where it sits in second place, nine points behind Barcelona.
A lot of time has passed, and in that time, many things have happened, but when Kylian Mbappe arrived at Real Madrid, back in the summer of 2024, he made it very clear that he wanted to write the brightest pages in the history of the club. And it was no wonder.
After seven summers of dressing him in white on every cover, it was about time. However, in Munich, the French player, and with him the entire team, logged a second season without "big titles" (LaLiga is still in play but practically impossible for the Whites), and his trophy cabinet remains the same as when he arrived. That is, empty.
He will therefore continue to be a magnificent player, one of the best in the world, but one who is unable to lead the team he captains (first PSG, now Real Madrid) to his first Champions League, becoming something almost paranormal and traumatic, since no one doubts that with his talent the trophy is within his reach, but it eludes him. Against Bayern, he had chances to score beyond the 2-3 that did bear his signature, and the team paid a high price for it.
That, and the apathy of a Vinicius with whom he definitely does not connect, is increasingly putting this project in danger that began in summer with Xabi Alonso full of hope and ends in spring with Arbeloa more concerned with his messages in press conferences than with the decisions on his tactical board.
Because it was his idea to introduce Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde in the midfield to try to compensate for the absence of Tchouameni, whose absence was strongly felt.
Without someone to organize things a bit, the team lacked fluid football throughout the 90 minutes and limited itself to waiting and counterattacking, which, on the other hand, is not something they do entirely badly but carries the risk it carries against teams like Bayern, who, with so many cannons in their attack are capable of dominating and overwhelming even the sturdiest wall.
That being the case, there will be time to reflect, and culprits will emerge for what this campaign has been, from the box to the locker room. However, there are some, like Camavinga, who got himself sent off in the final stretch, on whom the blame can already be pinned.
For them and for all the others, Real Madrid closed in Munich a 2025/26 season to forget in which their only triumphs were the misfortunes of others. A true "nadaplete" (winless season).
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