2025 has been nothing short of a disaster for Real Madrid, marking an annus horribilis that the club will be eager to erase from memory. The legendary club, which lifted five trophies in 2024, concluded the year without a single title, a stark contrast that highlights the chaos engulfing La Casa Blanca. The echoes of their triumphant Champions League victory at Wembley seem like a distant memory as they faced one humiliating setback after another throughout the year.
The tumultuous start to 2025 set the tone for what would become a nightmare season. An embarrassing 5-2 defeat against FC Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final was just the beginning. Barcelona proceeded to dominate domestically, sweeping up titles while Real Madrid faltered. The Copa del Rey slipped through their fingers after a thrilling final against Hansi Flick’s side, ending 3-2 after extra time. In La Liga, even Kylian MbappĂ©’s impressive hat-trick wasn’t enough to stave off another defeat to their eternal rivals, as Barcelona triumphed 4-3, effectively burying Madrid’s hopes of reclaiming the title.
On the European front, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad struggled significantly. After being forced into playoff rounds for the knockout stages of the Champions League, they managed to edge past a beleaguered Manchester City with a stellar performance from MbappĂ© at the BernabĂ©u (3-1), but this was merely a fleeting moment of joy. Subsequent matches against AtlĂ©tico Madrid saw them scrape through on penalties after two uninspiring encounters (2-2 on aggregate). However, their progression proved to be short-lived as Arsenal decisively exposed Real Madrid’s vulnerabilities with a crushing 5-1 aggregate defeat.
The Xabi Alonso Era Begins Amidst Turmoil
In a bid to revitalize the team and instill new tactics, Real Madrid turned to Xabi Alonso following Ancelotti’s departure. Initially, Alonso’s tenure brought optimism as his team displayed better organization during the Club World Cup, despite suffering a heavy 4-0 loss to an unstoppable Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals. While there were promising signs, Alonso’s ideas have struggled to take root amidst tactical rigidity and ego clashes within a tense dressing room.
The season kicked off with great potential; a Clasico victory over Barcelona fueled hopes for a successful campaign. However, tensions boiled over when VinĂcius JĂşnior’s controversial outburst during that match revealed underlying issues within the squad. Following this incident, results took a nosedive—three losses and three draws in eight matches saw them relinquish their lead to Barcelona and fall four points behind their rivals, according to Marca.
Uncertainty Looms Over Future
Xabi Alonso’s grip on the team has weakened as performances dipped back into mediocrity reminiscent of last season. As 2025 drew to a close, he managed to diplomatically mend relations within the squad; however, recent displays have sparked fears of returning to past failures. His future hangs in the balance as he faces scrutiny ahead of crucial fixtures in early 2026, particularly with the Supercopa de España looming.
Madrid’s management has not shown unequivocal support for Alonso amidst ongoing issues such as the Negreira case and persistent tensions surrounding officiating in Spain and UEFA regarding the Super League. On the transfer market front, they seem to be losing ground on targets like Dayot Upamecano while uncertainty surrounds Vini Jr.’s contract extension.
In summary, there appears to be no glimmer of hope for Real Madrid as they head into 2026. With mounting challenges both on and off the pitch, fans are left wondering if this once-great club can rediscover its winning ways or if this year will mark a turning point into deeper struggles ahead.
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