Real Madrid veteran sends message to fans after Atletico defeat – ‘Must do our best to turn things around’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid suffered their first defeat of the 2025/26 season on Saturday, with local rivals Atletico Madrid condemning them to a heavy 2-5 defeat at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

It was an evening to forget for Xabi Alonso and his men, who were the second-best team on the day, and by some distance.

It was a wake-up call for the team, as acknowledged by captain Dani Carvajal during his post-match media interaction.

“Tomorrow the sun will rise, we work hard again. Let this defeat hurt us, we must feel the pain and carry it within us to bring out the courage,” he said.

Thibaut Courtois echoes Carvajal’s sentiments

Taking to social media after the match, Real Madrid veteran superstar Thibaut Courtois sent a message to fans, in which he seemed to echo the sentiments of Carvajal.

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“Bad results should serve as cause for reflection, and in the face of difficulties, we must do our best to turn things around. We will do so. Hala Madrid,” wrote Courtois.

The 33-year-old Belgian shot-stopper, returning to face his former club, had a forgettable evening, shipping in five goals.

Up until Saturday’s game, Real Madrid had done solidly in defence, having let in only three goals in their first six La Liga matches while conceding once in their solitary UEFA Champions League match.

But the defeat against Atletico highlighted that there is still a lot of work to be done for Courtois, the defenders, Alonso & co. for the team to be airtight at the back.