'Crisis' is unfolding at Real Madrid

Real Madrid is confronting the threat of internal turmoil caused by the absence of strong leaders and negative routines emerging within the dressing room.

Real Madrid's impressive start to the 2025/26 season, leading La Liga and maintaining a perfect record in the Champions League, masks a troubling reality behind the scenes.

According to revelations from The Athletic, the atmosphere inside the "Los Blancos" locker room is becoming increasingly unstable due to bad habits and a shortage of true leaders, a factor that once defined the identity of the Spanish royal club.

Sources report that following the 2-5 defeat to Atletico Madrid in September, tensions erupted in the locker room as veteran players questioned younger teammates about their preparation and lack of serious attitude.

Although Real Madrid quickly regained form, insiders remain concerned that underlying issues might resurface during upcoming matches against Juventus, Barcelona, and Liverpool—three opponents who could expose the team’s hidden weaknesses.

The collapse in morale stems from the loss of many experienced key players. Toni Kroos retired in 2024, Nacho moved to Saudi Arabia, while Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez left the squad this past summer.

Now, Dani Carvajal is the sole remaining member of the generation that won six Champions League titles between 2014 and 2024 and currently serves as captain.

Former coach Carlo Ancelotti has often emphasized that veteran players are important not only for their playing ability but also as the soul maintaining the team’s “atmosphere.” An insider even warned: “If Carvajal is left alone, he will explode within a month.” However, influential voices like Modric and Vazquez have departed, leaving a significant void in the locker room culture.

Real Madrid is transitioning to a younger generation, with newcomers such as Dean Huijsen, Alexander-Arnold, Franco Mastantuono, and Alvaro Carreras (Benfica). Kylian Mbappe is gradually becoming the on-field leader, but his off-field influence remains limited. Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni are seen as positive role models but still insufficient to fill the leadership gap.

Despite some positive changes beginning to appear, experts believe that a single slip-up against Juventus, Barcelona, or Liverpool in the coming weeks could further fracture Real Madrid’s atmosphere. For Alonso, this period is not only a professional challenge but also a battle to reclaim the locker room, the vital foundation of a team that has dominated Europe for the past decade.