Kylian Mbappé arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 with one clear objective: to add major trophies to his growing collection and help Los Blancos reclaim their place at the pinnacle of European football. The French superstar, fresh from a prolific spell at Paris Saint-Germain where he won multiple Ligue 1 titles and domestic cups, was seen as the final piece in Real Madrid’s quest to restore dominance after a period of transition. However, after two full seasons wearing the iconic white jersey, Mbappé’s trophy hunt has encountered significant obstacles, with the 2024-25 campaign shaping up to be one of the rare trophyless seasons in the club’s modern history.
According to verified records from the Spanish La Liga winners list, Real Madrid last lifted the league trophy in the 2023-24 season, securing their 36th La Liga championship. That victory came after a hard-fought battle with Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, culminating in a strong finish to the campaign. However, the 2024-25 season has taken a different turn. As of mid-April 2026, with seven matches remaining in La Liga, Real Madrid trail Barcelona by nine points at the top of the table, making a league title increasingly unlikely unless a dramatic turnaround occurs.
The club’s hopes of silverware have also been dented in other competitions. Real Madrid were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in the quarter-finals by Bayern Munich, a result confirmed by multiple authoritative sources including BBC Sport reporting from April 16, 2026. The defeat came after a controversial moment involving Eduardo Camavinga in Munich, followed by two late goals that sealed the outcome for the German side. This exit ended Real Madrid’s bid for a record-extending 15th European Cup, leaving them without continental success for the season.
Domestically, the Copa del Rey journey ended early as well, with Los Blancos falling to second-division side Albacete in the tournament under new manager Álvaro Arbeloa. Arbeloa took over after Xabi Alonso resigned following a loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup in January 2026. The change in leadership did not yield immediate results and the team has struggled to uncover consistency across all fronts.
Historical context shows just how rare a trophyless season would be for Real Madrid in the 21st century. BBC Sport reported that Los Blancos have gone without a major trophy in only four seasons since 2000: 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, and 2020-21. In each of those campaigns, the club still managed to win secondary honors such as the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, or Spanish Super Cup. For instance, victories in the Spanish Super Cup were their sole trophy successes in 2003-04, 2008-09, and 2012-13. A trophyless 2024-25 season would mark only the fifth such occurrence in over two decades, underscoring the unusual nature of the current situation.
Despite the setbacks, Mbappé has remained a key figure for Real Madrid, contributing goals and performances that have kept the team competitive in tight matches. His arrival was met with immense excitement globally, given his status as one of the most feared attackers in world football. Yet, football, as the Arabic-language post from OneFootball aptly noted in its April 16, 2026 update, has had “a different opinion” during his two seasons in Madrid — a sentiment reflecting the unpredictable nature of sport, where individual brilliance does not always translate directly into team success.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid’s focus will shift to finishing the La Liga season as strongly as possible, aiming to close the gap on Barcelona and secure a top-two finish that guarantees automatic qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League. The next confirmed checkpoint is the upcoming La Liga fixture, though specific details such as date, opponent, and venue were not included in the verified sources consulted for this article. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team responds to adversity and whether Arbeloa can steady the ship before the season’s conclusion.
For now, the narrative remains one of unmet expectations and a reminder that even at a club with Real Madrid’s pedigree and resources, success is never guaranteed. As the season enters its final stretch, the question lingers: can Los Blancos salvage pride and position, or will 2024-25 be remembered as the year the trophy hunt came up short?
Stay updated with Archysport for the latest developments as Real Madrid’s season unfolds.
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