Five Consecutive European Cups

Lore & Background

This season is the first since 2012–13 without youth graduate and captain Dani Carvajal, as well as the first since 2020–21 without David Alaba, both of whom departed as free agents. Carvajal's departure marked the end of the club's association with the last remaining player from the squad that won the UEFA Champions League in three consecutive seasons (2016, 2017, and 2018).

Reader's Guide

The season began with a 2–1 victory away at Espanyol on 22 August, followed by a 4–1 win over Real Sociedad on 26 August, and a 4–0 win over Málaga on 30 August. Key summer signings included Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Carlos Espí, and Yan Diomande. José Mourinho returned as head coach on 11 June, effective from 13 July.

Did You Know?

• Dani Carvajal left as the holder of 27 senior trophies and as one of only five players in football history to have won six European Cups.
• David Alaba concluded his five-year spell at Real Madrid with eleven trophies, including two UEFA Champions League titles.
• Florentino Pérez was elected president on 7 June 2026, following the first presidential vote by club members in two decades.
• Kylian Mbappé recorded a hat-trick in the 4–1 win over Real Sociedad on 26 August.