La Liga Glory but European Disappointment
Real Madrid's 2025-26 season will be remembered as a campaign of stark contrasts, one that delivered domestic supremacy but ended in the cruelest fashion on the European stage. Carlo Ancelotti's side clinched the La Liga title with three matches to spare, finishing eight points clear of Barcelona in a dominant league campaign that underscored the depth and quality of the squad. However, a devastating semi-final defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League left a bitter taste and raised searching questions about whether this team can conquer Europe with its current tactical setup.
The season began with enormous expectations following the arrival of Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. The French superstar's addition to an already star-studded attack that included Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham seemed to make Real Madrid virtually unstoppable on paper. And for much of the domestic season, that proved to be the case. Los Blancos lost just three league matches all season, scoring 89 goals and conceding only 29, the best defensive record in the division by a considerable margin.
Carlo Ancelotti reflected: Winning La Liga is always a tremendous achievement because it requires consistency over 38 matches. We were the best team in Spain this season, there is no doubt about that. But the Champions League is special and losing in the semi-finals hurts. We need to analyze why we fell short in the biggest moments and come back stronger next season.
Mbappe's Adaptation: From Superstar to Team Player
Perhaps the most significant storyline of Real Madrid's season was the adaptation of Kylian Mbappe to life at the Santiago Bernabeu. The world's most famous free transfer arrived with enormous fanfare but initially struggled to find his best form in a team where Vinicius Junior had already established himself as the primary attacking force. The question of who would take penalties, who would take free kicks, and who would occupy the central attacking positions created early friction that was reflected in some disjointed performances.
Ancelotti's solution was characteristically pragmatic. He gradually shifted Mbappe into a more central role, allowing Vinicius to maintain his position on the left flank where he is most effective. The adjustment took time, but by December, the partnership was beginning to click. Mbappe's movement off the ball created space for Vinicius to drive into, and the Brazilian's dribbling ability drew defenders away from the Frenchman, creating shooting opportunities that he rarely wastes.
The numbers tell the story of Mbappe's season. After managing just 5 goals in his first 15 La Liga appearances, he exploded into life after the winter break, scoring 18 goals in his next 20 matches to finish the season with 23 league goals and 31 in all competitions. It was not the most prolific season of his career, but it demonstrated his ability to adapt and overcome adversity, qualities that will serve him well in the years ahead at the Bernabeu.
Vinicius Junior: The Best Player in the World?
While Mbappe grabbed the headlines, it was Vinicius Junior who consistently delivered the most outstanding performances for Real Madrid this season. The Brazilian winger has evolved from a raw talent with blistering pace into the most complete attacking player in world football, combining his trademark dribbling ability with improved finishing, better decision-making, and a growing leadership presence on the pitch.
Vinicius finished the season with 27 goals and 18 assists in all competitions, numbers that place him firmly in contention for the Ballon d'Or. His performances in the biggest matches were particularly impressive. He scored twice in the 4-2 El Clasico victory over Barcelona at the Bernabeu, delivered a masterclass in the 3-1 Champions League quarter-final win against Arsenal, and provided the assist for Mbappe's crucial goal in the 2-1 victory at Atletico Madrid that effectively clinched the La Liga title.
The transformation of Vinicius from a player who was sometimes criticised for his final product into one of the most devastating attackers in the game is a testament to his work ethic and his willingness to learn. Ancelotti has played a crucial role in this development, giving Vinicius the freedom to express himself while also demanding greater discipline in his off-the-ball work and his defensive contribution. The result is a player who is now the undisputed talisman of this Real Madrid team.
Jude Bellingham: The Engine Room Maestro
If Vinicius is the flair and Mbappe is the finishing, Jude Bellingham is the engine that drives this Real Madrid team. The English midfielder has been nothing short of sensational in his second season at the Bernabeu, building on his remarkable debut campaign with an even more accomplished set of performances that have established him as one of the top three midfielders in world football.
Bellingham's role has evolved this season under Ancelotti. While last year he was used primarily as an advanced number 10, contributing 23 goals and 13 assists, this season he has been deployed in a deeper position that allows him to dictate the tempo of the game and influence proceedings in all phases of play. The tactical shift has reduced his goal output to 14 for the season, but his overall contribution has increased significantly, with more key passes, more ball recoveries, and a higher passing accuracy than any other midfielder in La Liga.
The partnership between Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni in the Real Madrid midfield has been the foundation of the team's success. Tchouameni provides the defensive steel and positional discipline that allows Bellingham the freedom to roam and create, while Federico Valverde adds energy and box-to-box dynamism that gives the midfield a physical edge. Together, they form a unit that can compete with any midfield in European football, and their development will be crucial to Real Madrid's chances of reclaiming the Champions League next season.
The Champions League Failure: What Went Wrong
The Champions League semi-final defeat to Manchester City was the defining moment of Real Madrid's season, and it exposed tactical vulnerabilities that Ancelotti must address if the club is to conquer Europe once again. The 3-1 first-leg defeat at the Etihad Stadium was a comprehensive outclassing, with Pep Guardiola's side dominating possession, pressing relentlessly, and exploiting the space behind Real Madrid's full-backs with devastating efficiency.
The second leg at the Bernabeu offered a glimmer of hope when Mbappe scored early to reduce the aggregate deficit, but City's response was clinical. A quick-fire double from Erling Haaland effectively ended the tie as a contest, and the 2-1 victory on the night was little consolation for a team that had entered the competition as favourites. The defeat was particularly painful because it followed a similar pattern to the previous season's semi-final exit, suggesting that Real Madrid have a specific problem against elite pressing teams.
Ancelotti acknowledged after the match that his team had been outplayed in both legs and that tactical adjustments were needed. The Italian suggested that Real Madrid need to be more proactive in their pressing and more disciplined in their defensive shape when facing teams of City's calibre. Whether he will be given the opportunity to implement those changes remains to be seen, with reports in the Spanish media suggesting that the club's hierarchy is considering a move for Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso as a potential successor.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Ancelotti and Real Madrid
Despite the Champions League disappointment, Ancelotti's position appears secure for now. The Italian has won two La Liga titles and a Champions League during his second spell at the club, and the board recognises the value of his man-management skills and his ability to handle the enormous egos in the dressing room. However, the pressure will be on next season to deliver a 16th European Cup, and anything less than a Champions League final appearance could trigger a change.
The squad itself is in excellent shape. With Mbappe, Vinicius, Bellingham, Rodrygo, and the emerging talent of Endrick, Real Madrid have an attack that is the envy of world football. The defence, anchored by Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao, is solid, and the midfield trio of Bellingham, Tchouameni, and Valverde provides the perfect balance of creativity, physicality, and discipline. The challenge is to find the tactical system that allows all of these talents to flourish simultaneously, particularly in the biggest matches against the best teams in Europe.
Real Madrid's 2025-26 season will ultimately be remembered as a success in domestic terms but a failure on the continental stage. For a club of Real Madrid's ambition, that is not enough. The quest for La Decimosexta continues, and the lessons of this season's Champions League campaign must be learned if the club is to return to the summit of European football next season.