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Real Madrid's dismal season draws to a close on Saturday as they welcome Athletic Club to what is expected to be yet another hostile atmosphere at the Bernabéu.
The Spanish powerhouse has been running on fumes ever since their Clásico loss handed Barcelona the La Liga crown. Throw in dressing room clashes, an erratic press conference from club president Florentino Pérez, and a very public dispute between Álvaro Arbeloa and Kylian Mbappé, and it's safe to say Los Blancos can't wait to put this season behind them.
Nevertheless, the squad will be motivated to close out 2025–26 with a victory, particularly as it will mark Dani Carvajal's and likely David Alaba's farewell appearances for the club. A win would also give Real Madrid three consecutive victories — a modest but welcome note to carry into the next campaign.
Saturday is also anticipated to be Álvaro Arbeloa's last game in the dugout, with José Mourinho poised to step in as his replacement. With nothing to lose, the Spanish coach may have a few surprises in store.
Carvajal Prepares to Say Goodbye
Real Madrid received a boost as Federico Valverde returned to training after the Uruguayan cleared concussion protocol following a dressing room incident involving Aurélien Tchouaméni. While a starting role may still be premature, he is expected to be available as a substitute option at minimum.
Andriy Lunin is also set to return having missed the previous two fixtures through illness. The same cannot be said for the sidelined Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo, Éder Militão, and Arda Güler, who all continue to sit out.
Dani Ceballos remains frozen out following his falling out with Arbeloa. Carvajal has also had his differences with the manager, yet he will undoubtedly feature in his last appearance in a white shirt. The key question is whether he will start or come on as a substitute, given that Trent Alexander-Arnold played just 13 minutes in the side's victory over Sevilla.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Athletic Club
GK: Thibaut Courtois—Courtois will be aiming to secure a third consecutive clean sheet, something Real Madrid have failed to achieve even once throughout this entire season.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold—It's difficult to picture Arbeloa dropping Alexander-Arnold for a second straight match in favor of Carvajal, even as the six-time Champions League winner prepares to bid farewell to his Real Madrid chapter.
CB: Antonio Rüdiger—The German has reportedly agreed to a one-year contract extension and will be keen to prove Los Blancos made the right call in keeping him.
CB: Dean Huijsen—Huijsen may look back on his debut campaign with mixed feelings, but there's no question he has delivered a strong finish to an otherwise turbulent season.
LB: Álvaro Carreras—It's a close call between Fran García and Carreras for the starting spot on Saturday, though the latter may have the upper hand if Arbeloa continues his rotation pattern between the two.
CM: Aurélien Tchouaméni—His dressing room altercation cast a shadow over what has otherwise been an impressive season for Tchouaméni, who remains one of the most underappreciated figures in this Real Madrid squad.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga—The Frenchman is set to start after being limited to a substitute role last weekend. Questions over his long-term future at the Bernabéu continue to swirl.
RW: Brahim Díaz—A consistent presence in the starting XI over recent months, Díaz earns another start on the right flank. The Morocco international is desperate to get on the scoresheet for the first time since September 30.
AM: Jude Bellingham—Injuries took their toll on Bellingham's campaign, but the midfielder appears to be rediscovering his best form as the season winds down, contributing to two goals across his last four outings.
LW: Vinicius Junior—Two more goals for the Brazilian would see him match his personal best tally from 2023–24. Vinicius Jr. has been the team's most potent attacking threat since Arbeloa assumed the reins.
ST: Kylian Mbappé—More boos are likely in store for Mbappé at the Bernabéu. The France international endured a forgettable 90 minutes against Sevilla, just a week after it emerged that Arbeloa reportedly considers him the team's fourth-choice attacker.