Real Madrid’s eight-game winning run eases fears of another season in crisis

Real Madrid have begun to restore calm after eight consecutive victories in all competitions helped the club move away from the threat of another damaging season without silverware.

The sequence is the team’s strongest response to the uncertainty surrounding the club following two trophyless campaigns. Results, however, have not been the only source of renewed confidence, with a series of administrative decisions also helping to stabilise the institution.

Among them was last week’s decision to bring Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal into Real Madrid’s project, according to Spanish newspaper Marca. The club’s general assembly is expected to approve Nadal’s appointment to the board on 21 November.

The mood had been very different just over a month ago, after the derby defeat. Jose Mourinho delivered an angry press conference and warned that Real Madrid could be facing another difficult season.

“If they leave us alone, and allow us to be calm and compete on equal terms, we still have a lot ahead of us,” Mourinho said, in an apparent reference to his frustration with the refereeing decisions during the match.

A further failure appeared possible, with some of the club’s problems attributed to its disputes with La Liga and the refereeing system. But Mourinho’s subsequent decisions had a greater effect on the team’s recovery than the officials’ decisions had on its difficulties.

Mourinho changes Real Madrid’s approach

The Portuguese manager introduced sporting changes that had been delayed. He stopped leaving Yan Diomande and Bernardo Silva on the bench for extended periods, moved Federico Valverde into the full-back position and gave Arda Guler more advanced duties.

Those adjustments changed both the team’s shape and its results at a time when Real Madrid needed meaningful action to end its uncertainty.

Mourinho also worked to repair divisions within the dressing room. Tensions had become more visible during periods under Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa, with the well-known confrontation between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde one example.

Vinicius Junior’s relationship with Xabi Alonso provided another sign of the squad’s fragility, while matters worsened under Arbeloa after Real Madrid’s hopes of competing had faded. Kylian Mbappe was among the players who publicly reflected the extent of the divisions.

Mourinho also faced pressure over injuries and the medical department, particularly after Mbappe travelled to France for medical examinations. The issue resurfaced when Mbappe was injured while on international duty and Mourinho had to explain the circumstances at a press conference.

The manager also had to handle the situation involving Vinicius. Real Madrid backed the Brazilian, while the signing of Yan Diomande created competition for his place, at least until Vinicius returns from injury. The prevailing view is now that Vinicius must decide how to reshape his position, rather than Mourinho being expected to resolve it for him.

Calm returns to the boardroom

The club’s management has also reduced some of the disputes that had created constant noise around Real Madrid. An agreement to end its confrontation with UEFA, together with the abandonment of the European Super League project, was followed by steps towards returning to the European Club Association, chaired by Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

That has helped normalise relations with both organisations, despite the previous open conflict and the strained relationship with Aleksander Ceferin.

Florentino Perez’s announcement of presidential elections, made during a controversial press conference, has also acquired a different meaning. What once appeared to create further instability now gives the club time to prepare a new project, at least through to 2030.

A proposal to sell between 5% and 10% of Real Madrid’s value to outside investors remains unresolved. It would require changes to the club’s statutes, but the issue is not on the agenda for the general assembly on 21 November.

Nadal’s expected arrival would strengthen the current project, reassure members and reinforce Real Madrid’s sporting identity, while also prompting early speculation about a possible future leadership role. It remains too soon to draw firm conclusions about his long-term position.