Few people would have thought that, just 5 months after winning the championship, Real Madrid would now be struggling in the bottom half of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League rankings. Los Blancos even face the risk of being eliminated if they do not achieve positive results in the upcoming rounds.
So how has Real Madrid changed since winning the Champions League at Wembley last season? The "White Vultures" said goodbye to aging veterans like Nacho Fernandez, Toni Kroos, Joselu and brought in Endrick, along with the best star in world football at that time - Kylian Mbappe.
It was thought that these quality additions would help Real "grow wings like a tiger", easily winning all titles. However, the storm of injuries has caused the Spanish Royal team to go through a series of disappointing matches, with the most recent defeat 0-2 against Liverpool at Anfield. This defeat has fans wondering whether, in addition to the ups and downs of form, the Real Madrid dressing room is lacking a spiritual leader?
The Athletic revealed that the relationship between the players and the coaching staff is still good. Evidence is that both Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde gave hugs to coach Carlo Ancelotti when scoring, as a way to show affection and trust in the Italian strategist. However, the atmosphere in the dressing room is said to have changed. The chants and meetings with strong statements have gradually decreased over time.
Previously, the person who was the spiritual leader, always encouraging and shocking the whole team's spirit at Real Madrid was Dani Carvajal. However, the 32-year-old defender will likely be absent until the end of the season, due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) since October. In a recent press conference, coach Ancelotti himself admitted that Real suffered a loss when missing an important "player and leader" like Carvajal.
In the absence of captain Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez stepped up to take on the responsibility and often encouraged the team with his fiery spirit. However, the Spanish defender is also the next factor absent due to the storm of injuries.
Among the remaining experienced players, Luka Modric is the name that has high expectations. However, the 39-year-old midfielder is not the type of player who can dominate the dressing room. Instead, Modric often contributes quietly and is considered an example for younger players to follow. Similarly, Federico Valverde was also given the captain's armband in the match against Leganes. However, the Uruguayan midfielder is considered quite quiet and shy, despite his fiery fighting spirit.
In the event that the experienced players are unable to participate, the Los Blancos leadership expects David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger to be the moral support for the whole team. According to Marca, Alaba will be able to return to play after a ligament injury as early as January next year. Meanwhile, Rudiger is considered to be able to help the young players in both training and daily life.
The Athletic also revealed that Vinicius Jr. is described as a leader on the field and has the most trust from his teammates.The Brazilian winger is also a voice in discussions in the dressing room.However, Real Madrid's leadership still expects Vinicius Jr. to improve his personality to be ready to become the leader of the White Vultures in the future.
In addition, Jude Bellingham is gradually proving himself worthy of becoming the future leader of Real Madrid.The English midfielder not only received trust from his teammates after a successful first season, but also showed a calm, mature demeanor in press conferences or post-match interviews.However, limited language ability is the only barrier that makes it difficult for Bellingham to connect with his teammates.
