The atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabéu right now is, honestly, a bit toxic. You’d think a 2-0 win over Levante on Saturday would buy a team some breathing room, but that’s not how it works in Madrid, especially not in January 2026. This club is currently a pressure cooker.
Walking into the stadium today, you could feel the tension. It wasn't just about the match. It was the hangover from a nightmare week: getting dumped out of the Copa del Rey by second-tier Albacete and losing the Supercopa final to Barcelona. Fans didn't just bring their scarves; they brought their whistles. And they used them.
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Kylian Mbappé is basically the only person who can walk through the front door without getting jeered right now. Even when the team looked sluggish in the first half—and they looked really sluggish—the crowd stayed on his side.
The breakthrough came in the 58th minute. Mbappé won a penalty that had the Levante players fuming, but he didn't care. He stepped up, slotted it home, and then things got weird. He immediately started mimicking Levante keeper Mathew Ryan, swaying side to side and grinning. It was a total "shithousery" move. Depending on who you ask, it was either a display of alpha confidence or a completely unnecessary provocation. Social media, predictably, has spent the last few hours debating nothing else.
But while Mbappé was celebrating, his teammates were feeling the heat.
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Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. were actually booed by their own fans. Imagine that. Two of the best players on the planet, getting the whistle treatment at home. It got so bad that Vinicius was reportedly seen in tears during the halftime break. The frustration is clearly boiling over. Even Florentino Pérez wasn't safe; the "white handkerchief" protest made a brief, ominous appearance in the stands today.
Arbeloa’s Messy Start and the Shadow of Xabi Alonso
Let’s talk about the dugout because that’s where the real chaos is. Álvaro Arbeloa finally got his first win today, but it wasn't exactly a tactical masterclass. He’s in a tough spot. He took over after Xabi Alonso was sacked just seven months into his tenure—a move that still feels like a massive gamble gone wrong.
The ghost of Alonso is still haunting the place. Just this week, Bellingham had to go on his 'JB5' app to shut down rumors of a rift with the former coach, calling the gossip "a load of s---." It’s clear the locker room is a bit of a mess. Arbeloa is trying to steady the ship, but he’s doing it with a depleted squad.
The injury list is honestly ridiculous:
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- Trent Alexander-Arnold is out until February with a thigh issue.
- Eder Militao is dealing with a severe hamstring injury.
- Antonio Rudiger missed today with a knee problem.
- Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo are also sidelined.
When you're missing your entire starting defense, even a game against 19th-place Levante feels like climbing Everest. Arbeloa leaned on Raúl Asencio today, who actually looked decent and grabbed the second goal to seal the win, but the upcoming schedule is much scarier.
Haaland Rumors and the 2026 Transfer Shakeup
While the current squad is struggling, the rumor mill is working overtime. The big talk in the Spanish capital today is about Erling Haaland. With Vinicius Jr.’s contract talks stalling and his form dipping, there is a growing sense that Madrid might be ready to pivot.
The idea is simple: if Vini doesn't renew, sell him and go all-in for the Norwegian. Haaland is tied to Manchester City until 2034, which sounds like an impossible hurdle, but we’re talking about Real Madrid. They have a way of making the "impossible" happen when they get bored of their current superstars.
There’s also noise about the midfield. Bellingham is reportedly pushing the club to sign his England teammate Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace this summer. The club feels they never truly replaced Toni Kroos, and they need a "controller" to let Bellingham and Mbappé do their thing further up the pitch.
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What Happens Next?
The win over Levante moves Madrid to 48 points, keeping them within touching distance of Barcelona at the top of La Liga. But there’s no time to celebrate.
In just three days, the Champions League returns to the Bernabéu. Monaco is coming to town for matchday seven of the league phase. Madrid is currently sitting in a precarious spot in the European standings, and another slip-up there would be catastrophic for Arbeloa.
If you're following the club right now, keep an eye on the medical reports for Rudiger. Without him, the defense is a house of cards. Also, watch the body language of Vinicius in the Monaco game. If the fans keep turning on him, we might be witnessing the beginning of the end for his time in Madrid.
Actionable Insights for Madridistas:
- Monitor the Champions League Standings: Madrid is currently outside the top six; the Monaco game is a "must-win" to avoid a difficult playoff route.
- Watch the Arbeloa-Pintus dynamic: The coach mentioned working closely with fitness guru Antonio Pintus to fix the team's apparent lack of energy.
- Ignore the "Alonso Return" talk: For now, Xabi is gone, and Carlo Ancelotti is fully committed to Brazil for the 2026 World Cup, though he has teased a potential third stint in Madrid eventually.