Real Madrid News
Real Madrid left with an uncomfortable question for their players shining at the World Cup
As we enter the Round of 16 stage of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, it is perhaps fair to assess that Real Madrid players have done tremendously well.
Kylian Mbappe, in particular, has lit up the World Cup with his consistent scoring tally, while Vinicius Jr. has been the heart of everything Brazil.
The list extends to players such as Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde, as well as incoming signings Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries.
A collection of individual brilliance
But let’s talk about the existing players first. There have been numerous times when Real Madrid players have won the Superior Player of the Match accolade.
Mbappe has been in scintillating form for France, collecting multiple awards as he broke the country’s all-time goalscoring record. He has now scored 19 goals in 19 World Cup matches.
Jude Bellingham has been equally decisive for England, earning recognition on more than one occasion for his commanding midfield displays.
Vinicius Jr, meanwhile, has rediscovered his spark for Brazil, having been involved in five goals for the Selecao.
The list does not end there. Federico Valverde stood out for Uruguay before their elimination. The same applies to Arda Guler, notwithstanding Turkey’s poor showing in the group stages.
All these players have won the Superior Player of the Match accolade at least once in this World Cup.
Real Madrid’s big question
According to journalist Jose Felix Diaz of AS, that brilliance has left the club asking themselves an uncomfortable question: why could these same players not replicate this form over the past two seasons?
After all, these very players lighting up the World Cup are the ones who endured two trophyless seasons at club level, a run of underperformance that ultimately cost Alvaro Arbeloa his job and paved the way for Jose Mourinho’s arrival.
As Diaz notes, the club are left wondering how a squad brimming with this much individual talent, capable of such influence on the world stage, could fall so short collectively over the past two campaigns.
The answer to that question is precisely what Jose Mourinho has been brought in to solve, as the Portuguese tactician looks to usher in a new era at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid will be looking to pick up their fifth win of the 2026/27 La Liga season when they take on Elche CF at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero later tonight.
With 12 points from five games, Los Blancos are currently second in the league table, three points below leaders FC Barcelona.
As such, the Spanish capital club will be eager to get the win and close the gap to the top.
Guler starts, Bellingham rested
Ahead of kickoff, Real Madrid have announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Elche, with Jose Mourinho making some important changes.
For starters, Arda Guler is back in the lineup after appearing as a substitute in the win over Rayo Vallecano.
Interestingly, however, he starts in the attacking midfield role, with Mourinho opting to rest Jude Bellingham, who has started all of Real Madrid’s games so far.
That also means that Yan Diomande retains his place in the team, starting for a second time in a row on the right wing. Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. continue in their respective positions in attack.
Another notable change sees Aurelien Tchouameni make his first start of the season after recovering from injury and making two appearances off the bench.
He replaces Bernardo Silva as Federico Valverde’s partner in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marc Cucurella come in as full-backs, while Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen slot in at centre-back in front of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 15, 2026
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