What Happened to Real Madrid Club de Fútbol?

Real Madrid entered a period of significant transition and contrasting results between 2024 and 2026. The year 2024 was exceptionally successful, with the club lifting five major trophies: the Spanish Super Cup, their 36th La Liga title, a record-extending 15th UEFA Champions League title, the UEFA Super Cup, and the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup. This cemented their status as a dominant force in world football.

However, the 2024-2025 season marked an unexpected downturn. Despite high expectations and the arrival of Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid finished as runners-up in all three domestic competitions to rivals Barcelona and exited the Champions League in the quarter-finals against Arsenal. This disappointing performance was attributed to a combination of factors, including a major injury crisis that sidelined key defenders like David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, and Éder Militão for much of the season, forcing coach Carlo Ancelotti to rely on less experienced players. Tactical changes under Ancelotti, shifting to more defensive formations, also reportedly led to a drop in possession and pass accuracy, weakening their attacking prowess. Following this trophyless campaign, Carlo Ancelotti was replaced by former player Xabi Alonso in May 2025.

The struggles continued into the 2025-2026 season, which was described as a "disastrous campaign" where the club again went trophyless. Internal tensions and a reported "dressing room civil war" plagued the squad. Xabi Alonso's tenure was short-lived, as he was sacked in January 2026 after a Supercopa de España final loss to Barcelona, with former Castilla manager Álvaro Arbeloa taking over as interim head coach. The team's Champions League campaign ended in the quarter-finals against Bayern Munich.

In response to these two barren seasons, club president Florentino Pérez, re-elected in June 2026, initiated a significant overhaul. A dramatic turning point was the return of José Mourinho as head coach in June 2026, marking his second stint at the club. The summer 2026 transfer window saw a flurry of activity, with Real Madrid generating a club-record €189 million from player sales while making several high-profile signings, including Yan Diomande for €135 million, Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konaté, and Denzel Dumfries. The club aims to restore its competitive edge and end the trophyless streak. As of August 13, 2026, Real Madrid is in pre-season under Mourinho, having already secured the Teresa Herrera Trophy. Financially, the club remains robust, announcing record operating revenue of €1.221 billion for the 2025-2026 financial year, the highest ever for a sports organization, largely driven by the completed renovation of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, which now features a retractable roof and a removable pitch. However, the club also faces controversy over new social conduct regulations that some critics argue threaten freedom of expression for members.