Who’s who in the Real Madrid dressing room split amid crisis | OneFootball

Real Madrid is going through an internal storm that goes beyond results. Although the team is still fighting in La Liga, the symptoms of a deep conflict are evident in every match, in every gesture, and in every statement. What was once hidden behind victories now surfaces without a filter; the stars have stopped hiding their discomfort, the coaching staff has lost authority, and the locker room seems split in two. Clashing egos and untimely decisions have set off alarms for Los Blancos.

Leadership within the squad is now concentrated in two players who have openly clashed with the coaching staff: Fede Valverde and Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian, in particular, has become a figure of his own due to his anger at being substituted in the clásico—a gesture that was seen as a definitive break in his relationship with Xabi Alonso, marking the beginning of a rift that has deepened as matches go by. His entourage is also pushing for a contract on par with the mega-stars of world football.

On the other side, Kylian Mbappé has emerged as a symbol of order and high standards. Alongside Courtois, Güler, and some of the younger players, he has continued to support Alonso while openly criticizing the group’s attitude. “One yes and one no... That’s not the mark of a champion team,” declared the Frenchman, who has scored thirteen goals in the Champions League and is now the informal spokesperson of the locker room. Even Toni Kroos, in his role as commentator, hinted that Vinicius was “hurting the team” with his reactions on the pitch.

Meanwhile, Dani Carvajal’s role has been completely diminished. He has barely played since being medically cleared, his physical condition is a cause for concern, and some even say he’s struggling to complete training sessions. With no clear leader on the field or institutionally, the locker room has been left adrift, without a strong voice to unify the group or contain the conflicts.

Recent defeats and elimination from the Copa del Rey have only worsened the problem; some players even saw that elimination as a “relief” due to the lighter schedule. The team has suffered seven losses so far this season and will have to play a European playoff in the middle of February. Meanwhile, the club has decided not to sign anyone during the winter transfer window, and only in June will they consider major departures. Among the names now in doubt are several who, just months ago, were considered untouchable.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.