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How Mbappe, Bellingham Sparked Real Madrid’s Resurgence

How Mbappe, Bellingham Sparked Real Madrid's Resurgence

And back as the stadium-filling rock legends that we know them to be, as opposed to the enthusiastic, discordant high school band they have looked like for so much of the season.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men go into Wednesday’s Champions League league-phase finale against Brest having already confirmed at least a place in the play-offs – and with an outside chance of sneaking into the top eight.

Since being destroyed 5-2 by Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, Real have won their past four matches, scoring 17 goals, and are top of La Liga by four points.

An indifferent start to the campaign, including some inconsistent form and questions around the dynamic of the side with new superstar signing Kylian Mbappe, saw plenty of criticism directed towards boss Ancelotti.

“Ancelotti is leaving the club in the summer”, “Mbappe can’t settle”, “Vinicius Jr is unsettled” – people were asking what was going on at Real.

But the demise of the European giants has been exaggerated.

Ancelotti has never been unduly bothered by the opinions of people outside of the club, although this time he sensed there were elements emanating from within.

‘Ancelotti will decide when he leaves’
When one Spanish radio announced Ancelotti had told the club this season would be his last, they jumped the gun and he wasted no time in issuing a swift denial.

But Ancelotti will be the one to decide when he leaves the club, despite the year and a half left in his contract. After four years and 11 trophies – including two Champions League successes – he has earned the right to.

It also explains his slight smugness when informing the media that, after stating they were no good at all, their current league performances suggest the critics were wrong.

What is certain is that no-one is better placed than him to know when the time is right to walk away – and that will be when he believes he can no longer find the necessary solutions to ensure the continual arrival of trophies at the club.

At that point he will allow Florentino Perez to prepare the way for a new arrival – more likely than not Xabi Alonso, who always thought that Real or Liverpool would be his next steps if things went well with Bayer Leverkusen.

But not just yet.

Ancelotti has always believed Real would win titles this season, especially if they managed to overcome the inherent laziness that can often follow on from a Champions League and La Liga winning campaign.

It’s worth noting that they still haven’t beaten any of the top sides this season, including defeats by AC Milan and Liverpool in the Champions League and having nine thumped past them in their two encounters against Barcelona.

Ancelotti, though, remains unwavering in his belief.

‘Real would not be scared to sell Vinicius’
Injuries, particularly in defence to the likes of Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal, did not help matters at the start.

But Ancelotti’s main problems lay in the lack of a midfield to control games and the unwillingness of any of the stellar front three to put in a shift tracking back. And Jude Bellingham did not know where to run to cover so much ground.

The renewed vigour being displayed by Dani Ceballos in midfield has helped, but it is their displays in attack that have really made the difference to Real’s fortunes.

Where to begin with Vinicius Jr, who seems to be the focus of everyone’s attention whether playing or not.

The Brazil attacker has been in and out of the line-up recently, either through injury or suspension, and is currently the subject of a colossal offer from Saudi Arabia.

The story has been allowed to ‘gain legs’ by the Real decision makers who control the agenda, thanks to a compliant Madrid media who will focus on it for as long as it suits the club for them to do so.

The money injected by the sale of the 24-year-old would go a long way to paying for the stadium debt, along with a number of other financial benefits.

Real would certainly not be scared of selling the player, but the timing has to be right.

Much has been made about what is seen as Vinicius’ confrontational approach to taunts from opposition fans.

In the latest incident, he responded to chants of “tonto” (stupid) from Valencia supporters earlier this month by making a hand gesture suggesting the La Liga strugglers are going to be relegated.

In his defence, no single player I have seen has received the level of abuse that is dished out to him, including numerous examples of racism from fans.

Anyone expecting a bowed head and closed mouth reaction from Vinicius is going to have a lengthy wait.

He believes the abuse he receives is as unjust as it is fundamentally racist and not something he is prepared to endure.

On the field, Vinicius’ developing understanding with Mbappe is another of the reasons for Real’s improved performances.

The Frenchman had a tricky start to his Madrid career, but it is becoming clearer by the day that Real’s success will revolve around making Mbappe the main goalscoring focus – and leader.

Mbappe was always too intelligent, too talented and too precocious to fail, or buckle under the pressure, at Real Madrid.

He originally saw playing as a number nine as a more static role than he does now, and was conscious of not being seen to invade Vinicius’ space – on and off the pitch – even going as far as accepting that penalties would be rotated.

These days wherever he appears on the pitch the team adapt to him accordingly. He has also accepted that as a number nine he can be lethal, not so much with his back to goal but by running in behind and finishing clinically.

Since missing a penalty against Athletic Club on 4 December, he has scored 12 goals in as many matches, including his first hat-trick.

He is now the club’s official penalty taker. And even Vinicius admitted the team will do all they can so Mbappe becomes the top scorer in both La Liga and the Champions League.

Bellingham becoming a Real Madrid ‘leader’
Also in a rich vein of form is Brazil forward Rodrygo, with eight goals in his past nine games, having gone two and a half months without a goal previously.

The self-doubts and feelings that he was not valued or appreciated at the club have been replaced with a new-found confidence

Any wishes he might have had to leave have since vanished, not least because Ancelotti has confirmed to him that he sees him as a big match player and an automatic starter.

Then, we have Bellingham, whose stock continues to rise.

Despite playing with niggling injuries, the England man is without doubt the oil that is currently greasing the Real machine.

Whether driving forward with the ball or creating from the edge of the box with his back to goal – linking up, assisting or scoring – he is clearly enjoying himself.

Everyone’s best friend at the team, Bellingham has, alongside Mbappe, already established himself as one of the two leaders at Real Madrid.

BBC

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LaLiga

Thibaut Courtois Opens Up On ‘Better Or Worse’ Moments With Xabi Alonso After Crucial Real Madrid Win

Courtois Acknowledges Ups And Downs With Alonso After Madrid’s Much-Needed Win

Real Madrid finally hit the reset button at San Mames, ending a frustrating three-match winless streak away from home with a confident 3-0 victory over Athletic Club. But beyond the scoreline, what caught attention was Thibaut Courtois’ candid admission that the squad’s relationship with manager Xabi Alonso has seen “better or worse moments”.

The Belgian goalkeeper—who made a crucial save at 1-0 to keep the momentum alive—praised the team’s response while subtly hinting at the internal pressures the club has faced in recent weeks.

It was a victory Madrid needed, not just for points, but for peace.

Madrid Break Slump With Their “Most Complete Display”

Xabi Alonso described the performance as Real Madrid’s best of the season, and it’s hard to argue:

  • Controlled tempo

  • Improved pressing

  • Better defensive organisation

  • Sharper transitions

After three disappointing league draws, Los Blancos finally rediscovered the level expected from a title-chasing squad.

Courtois admitted that the team’s drop in intensity—especially during the sluggish outing against Girona—was unacceptable. “If you don’t play at 100%, you can easily be beaten,” he said.

But the win didn’t come without a price.

Both Eduardo Camavinga and Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up injuries—adding to Madrid’s already overloaded medical room.

Courtois Clears The Air: “We’re Always Close To Him”

With rumours swirling about a fractured dressing room, Courtois made a deliberate effort to calm the noise.

Speaking to Spanish media, he clarified:

  • There’s no major conflict between Alonso and the squad

  • Tension is normal in football

  • External speculation exaggerated the situation

His exact words:
“In relationships, there are always better or worse moments… On the outside, there’s always noise, but internally, we don’t notice it.”

It was a subtle but important message—Madrid might not be perfect, but the dressing room isn’t in flames either.

Reports Still Suggest A Dressing-Room Divide

Despite Courtois’ reassurance, the wider narrative remains tense.

Several reports have pointed to:

  • Confusion over Alonso’s tactics

  • Inconsistent roles for senior players

  • Friction with big personalities

  • Vinicius Jr.’s public frustration and contract hesitation

Madrid’s tactical experiments early in the season didn’t help, especially after the heavy defeat to Atletico Madrid and a dip in intensity throughout November.

The victory at San Mames may have paused the noise, but it hasn’t silenced it.

Madrid’s Turning Point… Or Temporary Relief?

There’s no question Madrid needed this win.
But one performance doesn’t erase the concerns:

  • Inconsistent pressing

  • Overreliance on individual brilliance

  • Mounting injuries

  • Internal pressure on Alonso’s project

The 3-0 win buys time—but the spotlight stays on.

If Real Madrid want to regain control of the title race and calm the storm around Alonso, they’ll need consistency, not just moments.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold Suffers Fresh Blow As Real Madrid Confirm Two-Month Injury Layoff

Trent Alexander-Arnold limping off after suffering a thigh injury during Real Madrid’s La Liga match.

Trent Alexander-Arnold Set For Two Months Out After Latest Injury Blow

Real Madrid have confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold has suffered a rectus femoris injury in his left thigh, adding yet another setback to what has been a turbulent debut season in Spain. The 27-year-old lasted barely ten minutes after the restart against Athletic Club before limping off—an image that now defines Madrid’s growing injury crisis.

This injury is expected to keep him out for around two months, a huge blow for Los Blancos at a time when consistency and defensive stability are desperately needed.

A Promising Night Cut Short

Before the injury struck, Alexander-Arnold had delivered his first La Liga assist, showing glimpses of the attacking brilliance Madrid signed him for. But just as he appeared to be settling into rhythm, disaster hit again.

Real Madrid’s medical tests confirmed the muscular damage, marking his second major injury spell this season. Earlier, he missed six weeks with a hamstring strain, and Spanish media have been questioning whether he has fully adapted to Madrid’s intensity.

Just when Madrid needed continuity, they’re right back to patchwork solutions.

Madrid’s Right-Back Problem Just Got Worse

With Dani Carvajal already out until 2026, Alexander-Arnold’s absence leaves Xabi Alonso with no natural senior right-back available. That means another round of improvisation:

  • Federico Valverde, a midfielder by trade

  • Raul Asencio, a developing squad option

Both players can fill in, but neither offers the natural defensive profile Madrid require—especially during a jam-packed winter schedule featuring La Liga battles, European fixtures, and the Spanish Super Cup.

The more Valverde is forced into defensive duties, the less influence he can provide in midfield—a trade-off Alonso would rather avoid.

A Recovery That Needs Patience And Precision

The rectus femoris injury is particularly tricky for players who rely heavily on acceleration, long-range passing, and overlapping runs—three staples of Alexander-Arnold’s game. With his earlier hamstring problem still fresh, Madrid are expected to be extremely cautious.

Rushing him back could risk an even longer spell on the sidelines, something both club and player desperately want to avoid.

For now, his debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu remains disrupted, inconsistent, and full of unanswered questions. Madrid need him, but they need him fully fit—not half ready.

What This Means For Real Madrid

Real Madrid now face:

  • A thin defensive line

  • A congested fixture schedule

  • Tactical compromises

  • Increased squad pressure

Xabi Alonso must find balance, stability, and results… without his two senior right-backs. It’s a huge test of depth and adaptability—one that could shape Madrid’s season.

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Jude Bellingham And Thomas Tuchel Compared To Roy Keane And Sir Alex Ferguson Amid England Selection Debate

Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel during England training session.

Jude Bellingham is once again the centre of England’s hottest debate — but this time, it’s not about his talent. It’s about respect, relationship, and World Cup readiness.

As the Three Lions prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage draw, former Manchester United defender Wes Brown has compared Bellingham’s relationship with England boss Thomas Tuchel to one of football’s most famous and fiery partnerships: Roy Keane and Sir Alex Ferguson.

A Relationship Under Scrutiny

Bellingham missed October’s fixtures while recovering from shoulder surgery, and even after returning to action for Real Madrid, Tuchel surprisingly left him out of England’s squad.

He eventually returned in November, and despite England completing qualification flawlessly, talk surfaced again after a 2-0 win over Albania — particularly around Bellingham’s temperament and attitude.

Tuchel has been firm: he wants harmony in camp, and players who disrupt that won’t make the plane to North America.

This led many to question whether England’s brightest star could actually be dropped.

Wes Brown: “It’s All About Respect.”

Speaking with GOAL via BetWright Casino, Brown didn’t shy away from the topic.

He said the situation reminds him of the dynamic between Keane and Ferguson — two strong personalities who didn’t always get along, but always respected each other’s roles in winning.

“You still need respect between the manager and the player. We all know how good Jude is… but the respect levels have to be right. At any football club, when two people don’t get on, you find a way to work it out.”

Brown believes the same applies here. Tuchel knows he needs Bellingham. Bellingham knows he’s a key figure. The middle ground is simple: mutual respect.

Danny Murphy: “The Talk Around His Character Is Strange.”

Former England midfielder Danny Murphy dismissed the negative narratives surrounding Bellingham.

He told GOAL:

“If you had 11 Jude Bellinghams, you’d win most tournaments.”

Murphy highlighted the midfielder’s leadership, intensity, passion, and clutch performances as evidence that his so-called “arrogance” is simply the mentality required to dominate at the highest level.

He added:

“We should be building him up, applauding him, and being thankful we have him — not trying to pull him down.”

Too Good To Leave Out

Despite debates about personality clashes or non-football behaviour, one thing remains certain:

England’s chances of winning the World Cup dramatically increase if Jude Bellingham is on the pitch.

He’s the game-changer, the spark, the one who drags the team forward when things get tough.

And like Keane and Ferguson, even imperfect relationships can win trophies — as long as the respect is right.

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