Bernabeu's Annus Horribilis: Real Madrid's Year to Forget
From Saudi Super Cup humiliation to managerial hot seats - how 2025 became the nightmare year Real Madrid will be desperate to leave behind
White Hart Ache: Real Madrid’s Trophy Cabinet Gathers Dust in 2025
From the dizzying heights of five trophies in 2023-24 to absolutely sod all in 2025. The Santiago Bernabeu has witnessed what can only be described as an ‘annus horribilis’ - a proper nightmare of a year for the Spanish giants.
Barcelona: The Constant Thorn
The year started as it meant to go on - with Barcelona dishing out a 5-2 hammering in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia. Little did Madrid know this was just the appetizer for a full-course meal of misery:
- Copa del Rey: Snatched by Barça in an agonizing final at La Cartuja in April
- La Liga: Despite Mbappé’s hat-trick at Montjuic, Hansi Flick’s men pinched the title
- Champions League: A new format, but same old disappointment
Their European campaign was particularly grim. Despite surprising victories over Manchester City in both legs and surviving a derby shootout against Atlético (thanks to Julián Álvarez’s double-touch penalty drama), Arsenal sent them packing in the quarter-finals with defeats both in London and at the Bernabeu.
End of an Era
May brought the curtain down on two Madrid legends - Luka Modric bid farewell after a glittering career, while Carlo Ancelotti also called time on his second spell. The Bernabeu gave them a proper send-off against Real Sociedad, with Xabi Alonso’s appointment confirmed just a day later.
Xabi’s Rollercoaster
The Club World Cup was supposed to be the saving grace, but despite initial promise under Alonso, they crashed out in the semis to an unstoppable PSG who capitalized on some shocking individual errors.
With new signings Huijsen, Trent, Carreras and Mastantuono, the 2025-26 season started brightly with Madrid hitting the top of La Liga by matchday three. But the wheels came off after a defeat at Anfield, starting a run of three losses and three draws in eight matches.
Management on a Knife Edge
After the December 7th defeat to Celta Vigo, the club began questioning Alonso’s suitability. Despite surviving earlier crises including the derby loss and the controversial Vinicius substitution in El Clásico, the Basque manager now finds himself on thin ice. Even three recent wins against Alavés, Sevilla, and Talavera in the Copa haven’t eased the pressure.
Institutional Chaos
Off the pitch, things are just as chaotic. The club is planning structural changes while engaging in open warfare with Barcelona over the ‘Negreira case’, which Florentino Pérez called “the biggest scandal in football history” at the Christmas media lunch. Joan Laporta fired back, accusing Madrid of suffering from “acute Barcelonitis” and criticizing Real Madrid TV’s coverage of refereeing decisions.
Meanwhile, the Superliga conflict with UEFA rumbles on, with recent court rulings favoring Los Blancos in what looks set to be a long-running battle.
For a club accustomed to silverware like it’s going out of fashion, 2025 has been a proper shocker. The only way is up for 2026, surely?