Real Madrid kicked off the 2025–26 season with the highest of expectations and failed to meet a single one in what was truly a disastrous campaign.
After Los Blancos ended 2024–25 without a major trophy, the biggest stars at the Bernabéu promised to correct course this season, emboldened by summer signings and a new face in the dugout. Except the 15-time European champions went trophyless, cycled through two managers and succumbed to a dressing room civil war.
For all their star power, Real Madrid never looked in much of a position to challenge for silverware, much to supporters’ dismay. Fans signed online petitions, booed the players at home games and called for radical change—and the club responded by giving former boss José Mourinho the keys to what currently looks like a crumbling kingdom.
Here’s Sports Illustrated’s review of Real Madrid’s 2025–26 campaign.
Real Madrid 2025–26 Player of the Season
Kylian Mbappé
It’s hard to ignore the man who scored 42 goals this season. Kylian Mbappé was once again Real Madrid’s top scorer despite missing considerable time due to a knee injury.
For all his shortcomings in a white shirt, both on and off the pitch, Mbappé carried the goalscoring load for Los Blancos in every competition. The Frenchman won the Pichichi Trophy for his 25 goals in La Liga, nearly set a new record with his 15 Champions League goals and scored the brace that sent Real Madrid to the Copa del Rey round of 16.
When he was fully fit, Mbappé left his fingerprints all over the team’s successes, most notably with his two goals against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals. Yes, there is a very legitimate argument that the team is perhaps more balanced without him in the XI, but in terms of individual performances, his goalscoring haul is second to none.
Real Madrid 2025–26 Goal of the Season
Arda Güler vs. Elche
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