If you haven’t looked at the Real Madrid football squad in the last few weeks, you’re basically looking at a different club. Forget the "Galactico" era of names that just look good on a jersey. Right now, Valdebebas is a bit of a hospital ward mixed with a high-stakes youth experiment.
Honestly, the situation is chaotic.
The club just parted ways with Xabi Alonso after a stint that promised the world but hit some major turbulence in the Champions League. Now, Álvaro Arbeloa is in the hot seat as interim manager, and he’s not playing it safe. He’s digging deep into La Fabrica because, frankly, he has to. Between the ACL tears and the hamstring issues that have plagued the veteran core, the "Real Madrid football squad" is currently a mix of world-class superstars and teenagers who probably still have curfews.
The Injury Crisis No One Predicted
You can’t talk about the current roster without mentioning the treatment room. It's a mess.
Éder Militão is out until at least April with a nasty biceps femoris rupture. That’s a massive blow. David Alaba? He’s basically a ghost at this point, struggling with a hamstring injury that has limited him to less than 200 minutes of football this season. Even the new marquee signing, Trent Alexander-Arnold, is sidelined with a thigh issue.
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This leaves the defense looking incredibly thin.
We’re seeing kids like Raúl Asencio and Dean Huijsen—the 20-year-old they snagged from Bournemouth—starting high-stakes La Liga matches. It’s a trial by fire. Most fans expected a veteran stop-gap signing in the January window, but Florentino Pérez has kept the checkbook closed, leaning instead on the academy.
The New Guard: Who’s Actually Playing?
With Mbappé dealing with lingering fitness issues and Rodrygo also sidelined recently, the attack has a very different flavor. Gonzalo García is the name on everyone’s lips right now. The 21-year-old Spaniard has been a revelation, scoring in back-to-back games, including a goal in the Supercopa final against Barcelona.
He’s six feet tall, good in the air, and actually knows where the goal is.
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The Midfield Transition
It’s weird not seeing Luka Modrić or Toni Kroos out there. Modrić finally moved on to AC Milan last summer, leaving a creative void that the club is still trying to fill.
- Jude Bellingham is the undisputed leader of this group now.
- Federico Valverde is the engine, basically playing every minute possible.
- Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni provide the muscle, but there’s a feeling they lack that "Kroos-style" laser-guided passing.
Arbeloa has been experimenting with Jorge Cestero, a youth product he thinks is the best young "6" in Spain. It’s a bold claim. Cestero started the recent Copa del Rey clash against Albacete, and while the result was a shock exit, the kid looked like he belonged.
The Franco Mastantuono Factor
Madrid dropped roughly €60 million on Franco Mastantuono, and the pressure is starting to mount. At 18, he’s already a full Argentinian international, but La Liga is a different beast. He’s been starting on the right wing with Rodrygo out, and while the talent is obvious, his consistency is... well, he’s 18.
Critics have been harsh. But you’ve got to remember that Vini Jr. went through the exact same "can’t finish" phase before he became a Ballon d'Or contender.
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The Tactical Shift Under Arbeloa
Arbeloa isn't just copying Alonso's homework. He’s gone back to basics in some ways, but with a heavy emphasis on the players he coached in the youth ranks. He trusts David Jiménez at right-back more than a half-fit Carvajal right now.
It’s risky.
The squad is currently structured in a way that relies heavily on individual brilliance from Vinícius Júnior to bail them out of defensive lapses. When Vini is on, Madrid looks unbeatable. When he’s double-marked, the lack of a veteran "controller" in midfield becomes painfully obvious.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking the Real Madrid football squad for the remainder of the 2026 season, keep these specific dynamics in mind:
- Watch the Center-Back Pairings: Until Militão returns in April, Asencio and Huijsen are the primary duo. Their ability to handle high-press teams will determine if Madrid stays in the title race.
- Monitor Mbappé’s Minutes: He isn't 100%. Arbeloa is using him as a second-half weapon to avoid a long-term setback. If he starts playing 90 minutes regularly, expect Gonzalo's minutes to drop significantly.
- The January Market: Keep an eye on rumors surrounding Marc Guéhi or Ousmane Diomande. The board says they won't buy, but one more injury to a defender might force their hand.
- Tactical Focus: Look for Arbeloa to move Valverde into a more permanent wide-right role to provide cover for the young David Jiménez, shifting the formation toward a lopsided 4-4-2 in defensive phases.
The "Real Madrid football squad" is in a state of flux. It's a transition year that wasn't supposed to be a transition year. Whether this youth-heavy approach leads to silverware or a trophyless season depends entirely on how quickly these academy graduates can stop playing like prospects and start playing like Madridistas.