In the latest round of La Liga, Girona held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw, while FC Barcelona cruised to a 4-1 victory over Espanyol. As a result, the gap between the two sides has widened to 9 points. With only seven matches remaining, Real Madrid now faces increasingly slim chances of defending their title.
Even more surprising, superstar Kylian Mbappé, whom fans expected to lead the team to new heights, has not delivered as anticipated. Instead, he destabilizes the tactical system, drawing widespread criticism.
Mbappé Effect Fails? Real Madrid’s Overall Decline
Since Mbappé’s arrival, Real Madrid’s overall performance has noticeably declined. The team has failed to win La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League for two consecutive seasons. Offensive output has dropped significantly, with several key players experiencing a clear dip in goal-scoring efficiency.
At the same time, in El Clásico clashes against Barcelona, Real Madrid have won just once in their last six meetings. More concerning is the instability behind the scenes; within just a year and a half, the club has already gone through three different head coaches, severely disrupting internal cohesion.
In contrast, Paris Saint-Germain, after Mbappé’s departure, has gradually rediscovered its form and emerged as a strong contender in the Champions League. This stark contrast has fueled debate over whether signing Mbappé was the right decision.
Mourinho & Zidane Agree: The Core Issue Is “Compatibility”
Regarding Real Madrid’s current struggles, former managers José Mourinho and Zinedine Zidane share the same view: the core issue is a lack of compatibility among the team’s star players.
Mourinho stated, “Talent wins matches, but sacrifices win championships.” He pointed out that players like Vinícius Júnior, Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham all want to be the focal point, competing for possession and attacking control, but lacking the willingness to sacrifice for the team.
He referenced the golden era of Real Madrid, when Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Luka Modrić thrived within clearly defined roles. Benzema, in particular, sacrificed personal glory to create space and opportunities for Ronaldo, an essential factor behind their success.
Zidane’s Blunt Verdict: One Must Go?
Compared to Mourinho’s broader analysis, Zidane was more direct. He highlighted that Vinícius and Mbappé have highly overlapping positions and playing styles, and that they lack natural complementarity.
Zidane emphasized that while top teams can have multiple superstars, success depends on tactical balance and chemistry. If both players insist on maintaining their individual styles without adapting, then a “one-or-the-other” decision may become inevitable.
He stressed that football is not about stacking stars, but about collective teamwork. Currently, Real Madrid’s attacking players are clashing rather than complementing each other, reducing overall efficiency.
What’s Next for Real Madrid: Sacrifice, Adjustment, or Rebuild?
In summary, Real Madrid’s struggles stem from a structural imbalance within the squad. Mbappé’s signing, intended to elevate the team, has instead unsettled an established system. Urgent, decisive action is now required to prevent further decline.
If tactical adjustments, clear role definition, and improved chemistry are not achieved immediately, not only will this season’s title hopes vanish, but Real Madrid’s ambitions to reclaim European dominance will remain in serious jeopardy.