Real Madrid conclude 2025–26 La Liga campaign in second place following defeat to Barcelona
The 2–0 loss to Barcelona confirms a trophy-less season for the Spanish giants, raising urgent questions about the future of manager Julen Alonso and key personnel.
Real Madrid have finished second in the 2025–26 La Liga campaign after a 2–0 defeat to Barcelona at Camp Nou. The result ended the club's bid to retain the title and marked the conclusion of a season characterised by significant internal turmoil. While the loss at the hands of the Catalan rivals secured their record 29th league title, the manner of Real Madrid's failure has left the Spanish capital in a state of discontent.
The final match highlighted deep fractures within the squad, particularly surrounding the integration of star striker Kylian Mbappé and forward Vinícius Júnior. Reports indicate that the Frenchman's arrival disrupted the tactical balance previously established under Carlo Ancelotti, leading to friction with teammates and a reported petition calling for his departure that gathered over 33 million signatures by the end of the season. The atmosphere within the dressing room appears toxic, with the new head coach position now facing scrutiny.
Vinícius Júnior also faced intense criticism from home supporters, suffering a 19-game goal drought for club and country between October and January. Although he broke this streak in the Spanish Super Cup final under Julen Alonso, the ruptures were evident throughout the campaign. The club's performance in Europe further compounded the issues, with a quarterfinal exit from the Champions League adding to the narrative of a campaign that left far more questions than answers.
Compounding the on-field struggles was a series of off-pitch incidents involving key personnel. Uruguay's Federico Valverde sustained a head injury in a training-ground altercation with Aurelien Tchouaméni, requiring hospital treatment and missing upcoming weeks. The incident was severe enough to prompt swift fines from the club, yet Tchouaméni was still named in the starting lineup for the decisive match against Barcelona.
Following Julen Alonso's departure, interim manager Álvaro Arbeloa guided the team to the season's conclusion. The club now faces the challenge of appointing a new head coach, with several European managers linked to the role. Names such as José Mourinho, Jürgen Klopp, Julian Nagelsmann, Didier Deschamps, Massimiliano Allegri, and Zinedine Zidane are reportedly being considered to restore stability to the institution.
