Ancelotti's Star Player Exposes Critical Flaw That's Haunting Real Madrid
Ex-Real Madrid striker Joselu thinks the absence of a genuine center-forward in Xabi Alonso's lineup is behind the club's current difficulties.
Victory appeared certain for Los Blancos before the 2024–25 campaign began. Just one month after the Spanish powerhouse captured both the Champions League and La Liga titles, they acquired one of football's premier scorers in Kylian Mbappé.
However, Real Madrid concluded the season trophy-less and have barely appeared capable of securing silverware in 2025–26. While most criticism centers on overwhelming injury problems, Joselu identified another factor affecting the squad, both during Carlo Ancelotti's concluding tenure and now under Alonso's guidance.
"A striker is needed, correct?" the forward shared with AS. "The reality is, Real Madrid remains Real Madrid. Mbappé nets 50 goals annually and you cannot replace him. That's why the traditional [No.] 9 role disappears. It's unfortunate, because [it] can open up numerous matches.
"They've acquired Mbappé, the world's finest striker regarding goals, Vini Jr. represents a worldwide sensation, Rodrygo is returning to peak form, Bellingham, Fede. You observe the roster and think, nobody can possibly defeat them."
However, there's no player who can "occupy the central defenders" and generate room for players like Bellingham to surge into the box and find the net. Instead, Mbappé consistently positions himself at the penalty area's perimeter awaiting passes, leaving no scorer within the box to connect with crosses from the wings.
Joselu Criticizes Alonso's Team for Missing 'Intensity'
Beyond Real Madrid's shortage of presence within the penalty area, Joselu also blamed the club's declining performance on an apparently weakening mindset within the locker room.
"At Real Madrid, maybe there's an absence of that fighting spirit, that emotion," the 35-year-old stated. "[In 2023–24], roughly 80% of the squad genuinely understood what wearing the Real Madrid jersey represents. Currently, I'm uncertain if that sentiment has diminished or not."
The 15-time European titleholders have faced criticism for disappointing in crucial matches over the past eighteen months. Last campaign, Los Blancos appeared lifeless versus Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals and displayed minimal resistance in their four Clásico losses.
The team's morale has rarely enhanced under Alonso. The players faced harsh criticism for their passion deficit in their 5–2 loss to Atlético Madrid and achieved absolutely nothing against Liverpool.
"When you compete with the authentic emotion of being a genuine Real Madrid supporter, you gain something additional. When you're lacking something, you must possess that emotion."