Eduardo Camavinga criticised after Real Madrid’s stalemate with Fiorentina

Eduardo Camavinga has come under heavy criticism from the Spanish media after failing to impress in Real Madrid’s 2-2 friendly draw with Fiorentina in Klagenfurt, Austria, on Saturday.

The France midfielder started and played the full 90 minutes under Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho, but was unable to take control of the game despite Real Madrid being without several of their regular first-team players.

Camavinga did provide one assist, yet his overall performance was judged harshly by Spanish broadcasters and newspapers. Cadena SER described the 23-year-old as “the weakest link at Real Madrid”, while AS journalist Thomas Roncero delivered an even more severe assessment.

Roncero said Camavinga remained “inconsistent, distracted and fragile, just as he was during his disappointing season last year”.

He added sarcastically: “The versatile French player, who was once a rising star, has become a complete failure.”

The former Rennes player was unable to make a decisive impact in midfield, despite having a full match in which to establish himself. His display was also criticised because he failed to make the most of the opportunity created by the absence of several established players.

One particular incident drew attention when Camavinga appeared to miss a chance to set up new striker Espai for what would have been his first goal for the club.

According to MARCA, Camavinga “did not see him or did not want to pass the ball to him” in the clear-cut situation. The newspaper also suggested Mourinho may restrict him to a substitute role in upcoming matches.

Roncero expressed his frustration at what he views as a lack of progress from the midfielder.

“He is not developing and adds nothing to the team’s midfield,” he said.

The comments reflect wider concerns about Camavinga’s performances since a disappointing 2025-2026 season. His struggles were underlined by his notable absence from France manager Didier Deschamps’ squad for the World Cup.

That omission has raised serious questions over whether Camavinga can rediscover the form that previously established him as one of Europe’s most highly regarded young players.

The midfielder joined Real Madrid after making his name at Rennes and was regarded as a player capable of contributing in several positions. However, Spanish reports now suggest his future at Santiago Bernabeu could become uncertain if his current decline continues.

Some reports have hinted that “a good offer from the Premier League could signal the time for his departure”. Real Madrid’s midfield is already crowded with high-profile players, while the club is also expected to consider the financial return available from players who have not developed as anticipated.

Camavinga’s performance against Fiorentina therefore provided further fuel for debate about his role at Real Madrid. Although the match ended 2-2 and he registered an assist, the response from Spanish media indicated that he had failed to convince either as a starter or as a player capable of controlling the centre of the pitch.