Real Madrid News
Former midfielder identifies Real Madrid’s biggest problem – ‘How do you explain that?’
Real Madrid are staring at the possibility of ending the 2025/26 season without any trophies after back-to-back defeats over the past week.
The 2-1 loss to RCD Mallorca last Saturday left them seven points behind leaders FC Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
A few days later, the Merengues lost to Bayern Munich by the same scoreline in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, leaving their hopes of another European triumph hanging by a thread.
Alvaro Benito on Real Madrid’s problems
Speaking on El Larguero former Real Madrid midfielder Alvaro Benito pointed fingers at the club’s inconsistency as their biggest problem in recent years – highlighting how they have won more Champions League trophies than La Liga titles as evidence for the same.
“Why are there players, like Luka Modric , who have left Real Madrid surprisingly with more Champions League titles than league titles? How do you explain that?” he asked.
Continuing, the former midfielder turned commentator added: “Real Madrid struggle to be consistent and to be a team.
“To win long championships you need to be a team, work as a team and have clear patterns of behaviour where, even on bad days, you win because your collective behaviour is very good and because, obviously, you have more talent than 90% of the rivals you face in La Liga.”
Concluding, Benito stated that Real Madrid have been more reliant on ‘moments’ than consistency in the last 12-15 years, saying:
“If you fulfill your obligations as a team, you’ll win even the matches you play poorly. And Real Madrid , in the last 12 or 15 years, has struggled to be consistent and a cohesive team.
“What’s happened? They’ve had so many good players that, when they’ve focused on short tournaments, on specific moments, they’ve been a team with an outstanding performance that no other team in Europe has had. It’s almost inexplicable.”
Real Madrid News
Arsenal in contact with Real Madrid forward’s camp over potential transfer – report
Doubts about Rodrygo Goes’ long-term future at Real Madrid having been growing for some time.
The Brazilian’s situation had become uncomfortable over the past couple of seasons as he experienced a sudden decline in form. And, just when it seemed like he was about to turn things around, an ACL injury ruled him out in March earlier this year.
With Rodrygo now facing an extended spell on the sidelines, his recovery will be crucial. He is expected to return in December or January, and the club will monitor how he responds physically before determining what role he will play under Jose Mourinho.
Arsenal keeping tabs on Rodrygo
Now, according to TEAMtalk (h/t Bernabeu Digital), Arsenal are in contact with Rodrygo’s representatives over a potential future move.
The report states that the Gunners had already attempted to sign the Brazilian before his injury, and their interest has now resurfaced ahead of a possible move in the summer of 2027.
The Premier League champions had also explored the possibility of signing Vinicius Jr. from Real Madrid this past summer, before he signed a new long-term contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Now, their attention seems to have switched Vinicius’ fellow Brazilian forward who is closing in on his return from the ACL rupture.
Real Madrid want to keep Rodrygo until the summer
As already reported, Rodrygo will not leave Real Madrid in January. The intention is for the winger to regain full fitness and become available to Mourinho for the second half of the season.
Real Madrid are not considering selling the former Santos wonderkid during the January transfer window.
Instead, the club intend to reassess his situation next summer, once he has had the opportunity to recover and demonstrate his form on the pitch.
The plan is to have the Brazilian fit and available for the second half of the campaign before making a final decision at the end of the season.
Rodrygo’s performances after returning from injury, together with Mourinho’s assessment of his role in the squad, will help determine what happens next.
Depending on those factors, Real Madrid could consider allowing him to leave or decide that he still has an important future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
For now, Arsenal’s interest remains a possibility to watch, but Real Madrid are focused on Rodrygo’s recovery rather than negotiating a January departure.
