‘Real Madrid haven’t worked as a team – it’s been chaos’: Alvaro Benito
Alvaro Benito has delivered a sharp critique of Real Madrid’s disappointing season following their 5-1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals. Speaking on El Larguero, the former Madrid player and current analyst highlighted deep-rooted issues within the team, pointing to a lack of structure and collective effort.
“There needs to be a broader evaluation, not just based on what happened yesterday,” Benito said. “You can be knocked out by a team like Arsenal, but what’s really worrying is the overall level Madrid have shown throughout the season.”
He criticised the lack of cohesion on the pitch, suggesting that Madrid never truly looked like a functioning unit. “As a team, Madrid haven’t worked. They haven’t been organised — it’s been chaotic,” he continued. “There were no heroic moments this year. Against Arsenal, they played with heart, but there was little structure, little intelligence, and not enough quality.”
Benito also noted that poor collective performance has dragged down individual displays. “When the team doesn’t function, individuals appear worse than they really are. Madrid have top players, but many have looked far below their level. A strong collective brings out the best in each player — and the reverse is also true.”
Asked about how Madrid should respond, he pointed to the need for better preparation and attention to detail. “It starts with the team,” he said. “Train more, train better — make Madrid look like a team again. This season they’ve made some serious errors in terms of organisation. They assumed what they had was enough.”
On Carlo Ancelotti, whose future is now uncertain, Benito defended the Italian coach. “This season has been tough for him. From the very beginning, I saw him voicing concerns in press conferences — subtly, politely — because the team wasn’t putting in the work,” he said. “The front players didn’t track back, and that hurt the whole system. I don’t think he’s been treated fairly,” he added. “People seem comfortable under Ancelotti, but they haven’t repaid his trust. The players haven’t lived up to expectations. He was left with no choice but to get tough... we’ll see how it ends.”
Benito also addressed the criticism aimed at Kylian Mbappe, who arrived with great expectations but has struggled to make a consistent impact. “Maybe the season hasn’t lived up to the hype, but Mbappe isn’t the problem. You don’t win the Champions League with one player. No one wins it alone,” he stated.
He concluded by stressing that the real challenge lies in getting Madrid’s stars to work as a unit. “Mbappe, Rodrygo, Vinicius, Bellingham — they’re all far from their best. The key is to guide them, help them rediscover their rhythm, and let their talent shine through. That’s the only way forward.”
