Real Madrid News
Journalist claims some Real Madrid players are ‘out of shape’ as problems mount
The international break has given Real Madrid some much-needed breather so that Jose Mourinho’s men can ruminate what went wrong and why the team has fallen so far behind Barcelona.
Recent reports have indicated that the same dressing room problems that have been harrowing the club over the past few years, have started to resurface once again, even under the new manager.
Now, a fresh report suggests the issue could be much more than Real Madrid players lacking the cohesion.
Real Madrid players out of shape
According to journalist Rodra P (h/t Bernabeu Digital), several members of the Real Madrid squad are currently out of shape, an issue that is beginning to cause concern within the club.
The problem, as per the report, is not just limited to performances on the pitch. There is also said to be a difficulty in openly communicating to certain players that they need to improve their physical condition, making the situation harder to address.
The report comes in the wake of Real Madrid’s damaging defeat to Atletico Madrid.
This is also the second time there have been wider concerns around the team’s intensity, with Real Madrid having covered the least distance of any side in La Liga this season.
Mourinho must raise the level
Mourinho has emphasised that no player is guaranteed a starting spot based on their name, salary or reputation. Instead, playing time will be determined purely by performance and the level shown in training and matches.
That philosophy could work in Mourinho’s favour when dealing with players who are not in peak condition.
With quality alternatives in virtually every position, the coach has the option to drop anyone falling short of the required standards.
Real Madrid are still searching for a settled starting eleven, and the early weeks of the season have shown that several players can rotate in and out of the side.
In that sense, internal competition becomes a useful tool for Mourinho to drive up standards across the squad.
For now, the priority during the break will be getting his players back to full fitness and instilling the intensity his system demands.
With a six-point gap to Barcelona already, Real Madrid cannot afford for fitness issues to derail their campaign any further.
Real Madrid News
Kylian Mbappe unlocks three Champions League achievements after Roma 3-4 Real Madrid thriller
Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance with a goal against AS Roma, reaching another major milestone in a competition he has dominated throughout his career.
As such, the Real Madrid forward scored his 72nd Champions League goal on Wednesday, moving past club legend Raul Gonzalez on the competition’s all-time scoring list and into fifth place.
Mbappe surpasses Messi and Raul
Mbappe reached 100 Champions League appearances against Roma and marked the occasion with a goal.
Kylian Mbappé is the youngest-ever player to reach 100 Champions League appearances (27y 298d). Lionel Messi’s record is broken (28y 84d). 💯 https://t.co/QxB7jmGlop
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 14, 2026
At 27 years and 298 days, he became the youngest player to reach that landmark, surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous record of 28 years and 84 days.
As such, Mbappe’s 72 Champions League goals have come across three clubs: six for Monaco, 42 for Paris Saint-Germain and 24 for Real Madrid.
Only Messi and Lewandowski outscored Mbappe
Mbappe’s record becomes even more impressive when measured against other top Champions League forwards during their first 100 appearances.
📊 Only Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi scored more goals in their first 100 Champions League matches than Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman has netted an incredible 𝟕𝟐 goals in his first century of matches. 🔥 https://t.co/77Yg7DdD6L
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) October 15, 2026
Robert Lewandowski scored 81 goals in his first 100 matches, while Messi registered 77. Mbappe’s 72 goals place him behind those two players, but ahead of numerous other legendary attackers.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains the Champions League benchmark
Despite moving into fifth place, Mbappe still has a substantial gap to close before reaching the top of the all-time scoring rankings.
Karim Benzema sits ahead of him with 90 goals, followed by Lewandowski on 109 and Messi on 129. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the standings with 140 Champions League goals.
𝐊𝐘𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐋 𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐂𝐋 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋𝐒 😲👏 That is now 72 UCL goals for him, breaking into the top 5 😮💨 𝘼𝙡𝙡-𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙧𝙨: 👇 140 ⚽ Cristiano Ronaldo 129 ⚽ Lionel Messi 107 ⚽ Robert Lewandowski 90 ⚽ Karim Benzema 72 ⚽ Kylian Mbappé 71 ⚽ Raúl Where will he finish on the all-time UCL top scorers list? 👀
— 433 (@433) October 14, 2026
Mbappe’s 72 strikes leave him 18 behind Benzema, meaning the next target in his pursuit of the all-time greats is within reach if he maintains his scoring rate.
Understandably, Ronaldo’s 141 goals remain the benchmark, leaving Mbappe 68 goals short of the record.
The gap is considerable, but the Frenchman has already demonstrated the scoring consistency needed to climb the rankings, and it won’t be a surprise if he breaks his idol’s record.
