Tension at the Bernabéu: Real Madrid’s Dressing Room Spirals Out of Control
5 March 2026
Tension runs through the halls of Bernabéu.
Real Madrid are going through a rough spell lately, after exiting the Copa del Rey to the modest Alavés in mid-January, and with doubts about winning La Liga over Barcelona, who sit four points clear at the top. The royal side also appears to be missing calm in the dressing room.
Mundo Deportivo noted that Real Madrid players in recent years have shown little harmony with coaches, whoever they are, and some say they are difficult players to manage.
Pundits weigh in
In the same breath, Spanish journalist Manu Carreño, on his show El Larguero on Cadena SER, suggested that Real Madrid's dressing room has spiraled out of control.
On his show he said: 'What a conundrum Arbeloa faces ahead of Friday's trip to Balaídos (against Celta Vigo)—between injuries and suspensions, there's a tense mood in the dressing room. It seems the issue might be with Xabi Alonso, but that only reinforces that this locker room is out of control'.
On the same note, he added: 'Even Ancelotti, Alonso, Arbeloa—and the president can't calm it. This dressing room is out of control'.
He continued: 'Some dislike it because of the immense pressure, others because of leniency, Arbeloa because he isn’t good enough... perhaps the fix is not to blame the coach for a dressing room that can’t be tamed, and to stop serving up dramatic matches'.
Punchline 1: If this dressing room were a reality show, Madrid would be canceled for low ratings.
Punchline 2: The locker room is so turbulent that even the bench is asking for a transfer.
