Why Does Real Madrid Annoy So Many People?

A Crisis of Trophies and Temperament

Real Madrid is currently at the center of intense scrutiny. Not long ago, the club looked like the strongest team on the planet. Today, it teeters on the edge of a trophyless season. In the past few months alone, Los Blancos have crashed out of the Spanish Super Cup, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League. Only La Liga remains, and even that hangs by a thread — Barcelona is four points ahead with just five games to go. Check the latest La Liga standings and fixtures.

For a club that is used to collecting silverware on a conveyor belt, the current situation is bleak. But beyond results on the pitch, a deeper question arises: how well is Real Madrid coping with adversity?

Spoiler: Not Well at All

The 2024 season has been marred by a remarkable level of bitterness, controversy, and outright hostility from the Madrid camp. What’s more, these behavioral patterns didn’t just emerge after the team began dropping out of competitions — they started much earlier.

Take the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October, for example. Real Madrid representatives pointedly chose not to attend the gala because the award went to a player outside their squad. While debates raged over whether Vinícius or Rodri was more deserving, the voting didn’t appear disrespectful to Madrid in any way. The club’s refusal to participate wasn’t a scandal per se, but it certainly felt petty — especially given the circumstances.

Real Madrid vs Referees: An Ugly Campaign

Madrid’s relationship with referees has always been complicated, but this season the club has launched a full-blown offensive. Through its official media outlet, Real Madrid TV, the club routinely attacks referees, analyzing controversial calls almost exclusively when they go against them.

While officiating errors happen in every league and affect all teams, Madrid positions itself as the lone victim. They highlight debatable decisions and even clean, correct calls to build a narrative of persecution. A classic case: Real Madrid TV insisted that Aurélien Tchouaméni stepping on Samuel Lino’s foot in the box wasn’t a penalty. Meanwhile, the same platform decried an obvious foul with claims like “this is Negreira League corruption.”

The Clásico Complaints Continue

In the recent Copa del Rey final Clásico, Real Madrid again took to their TV channel to complain about refereeing. This, despite getting favorable calls themselves — like a clear penalty on Ferran Torres that was never awarded. Ironically, their pressure may be working: referees might be overcompensating to avoid further backlash, knowing their decisions will be dissected by Madrid’s media machinery.

But this strategy is toxic. If all 20 La Liga clubs adopted Madrid's behavior, the league would devolve into a shouting match where volume, not objectivity, determined truth.

Player Behavior: A Growing Concern

It’s important to clarify: not all Real Madrid players are guilty of misconduct. Veterans like Luka Modrić maintain their class and professionalism. However, a new generation of players seems increasingly detached from reality — and responsibility.

Vinícius Jr. is a recurring example. Yes, he has been the target of unacceptable racist abuse from fans. But his reactionary behavior — like publicly labeling Spain a racist country — has also fueled the fire. His provocative manner when speaking to referees remains unchanged.

And he’s no longer alone.

Dani Carvajal and the Saka Incident

In a recent friendly between Real Madrid and Arsenal, Carvajal — who wasn’t even part of the matchday squad — was seen confronting Bukayo Saka at halftime. He allegedly criticized the Englishman for taking a Panenka-style penalty, even grabbing him by the neck and pointing fingers. According to Marca, Carvajal found the penalty disrespectful. If true, this level of entitlement is baffling.

Antonio Rüdiger: The Chaos Continues

Then there’s Antonio Rüdiger, who has racked up a disturbing number of unsportsmanlike incidents. From twisting the nipples of Álvaro Morata and Jack Grealish to more recent infractions, Rüdiger's conduct raises red flags.

In a match against Arsenal, he was seen stepping on an opponent lying on the ground. Whether intentional or not, incidents like this keep piling up. And in the latest Clásico, he ended the game by throwing chunks of ice at the referee — an act so aggressive that several teammates had to physically restrain him.

Though Rüdiger later apologized, he received a six-match suspension. Conveniently, he’s expected to miss the rest of the season due to injury anyway.

Celebrating With Spite

Rüdiger’s aggressive streak isn’t limited to the field. After Atlético Madrid were eliminated from the Champions League, both he and Vinícius celebrated in toxic fashion. Rüdiger even made a throat-slitting gesture toward Atlético fans.

While some defended the incident by claiming the players were celebrating with their own supporters, footage shows otherwise. The Real Madrid fan section was located much higher in the stands. Rüdiger’s eyes were locked onto Atlético fans when he made the gesture.

For a team that wins the Champions League seemingly every other year, this kind of reaction is classless.

The Most Arrogant Elite Club in Europe?

When you piece it all together — Real Madrid’s behavior toward referees, their refusal to accept defeat with grace, their players’ unsportsmanlike conduct — you get the sense that the club has become the most arrogant among Europe’s elite. That’s saying something, especially considering that just a few years ago, Atlético were widely viewed as the more aggressive, emotionally volatile side in Madrid.

Now, things are shifting.

The End of the Ancelotti Era?

It’s increasingly likely that the club will part ways with Carlo Ancelotti this summer. Much has been said about the team’s tactical stagnation and physical decline under his leadership. But there’s another layer: the lack of discipline.

When a Clásico ends with a senior defender throwing ice at the referee, there’s a deeper cultural issue at play. Ancelotti’s calm demeanor may no longer be enough to manage a squad spinning out of control.

Or perhaps, the hysteria consuming the club is bigger than any one manager.

Published by Patrick Jane
02.05.2025