Real Madrid has once again found itself under scrutiny following a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The loss not only highlighted the team's underwhelming performance on the pitch but also exposed deepening internal tensions.
At the heart of the discord are two of the club’s marquee players: Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. Reports suggest growing friction between the pair, with signs of their lack of harmony becoming increasingly apparent both on and off the field.
Newly appointed head coach Xabi Alonso now faces a critical decision he may be forced to choose between the two superstars as their rivalry threatens to destabilize the dressing room.
Mbappé’s much-anticipated arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu last summer was expected to mark the beginning of a new era. However, rather than elevating the team, his presence appears to have disrupted the squad’s balance.
According to a report from Sport, Mbappé’s relationship with Vinícius has been particularly strained. The duo has struggled to find synergy on the pitch and has drawn criticism for their limited contribution to collective pressing efforts.
The defeat to PSG laid bare the team’s lack of cohesion and discipline qualities that once defined Real Madrid’s identity but now seem absent.
Alonso and his coaching staff are reportedly aware of the urgency of the situation. Allowing these tensions to fester further could prove detrimental to the club’s ambitions.
