Real Madrid's season has been disappointing, losing major titles like the Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Champions League. Despite this, there are still some positives the team can focus on.
Key points
Real Madrid has lost major titles this season
Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Champions League are among the losses
Mathematically still alive in the title race
The team is focusing on positives despite challenges
Real Madrid
Four positives Real Madrid can still cling to despite a nightmare season
Four positives Real Madrid can still cling to despite a nightmare season
It has been a season to forget for Real Madrid. One by one, the biggest prizes have slipped away.
The Spanish Super Cup, Copa del Rey, La Liga, and even the UEFA Champions League have all moved beyond their reach.
While mathematically still alive in the title race, the reality tells a different story.
A nine-point gap to Barcelona has left their domestic ambitions hanging by a thread, making a comeback highly unlikely at this stage of the campaign.
Yet, even in what feels like a disappointing season by their own high standards, there are still meaningful targets left.
Individual brilliance and pride in key fixtures could yet offer a sense of redemption in an otherwise horrific season.
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Beyond just leading the scoring charts, Mbappe is chasing something even more personal and to secure the award, he will likely need to surpass his own recent standards.
Over the past two seasons, the forward has consistently hit 44 goals across all competitions.
This term, he is already on 40, putting him within touching distance of matching, or even exceeding, that benchmark.
If he succeeds, it would reinforce his status as one of the most decisive players in European football.
Courtois is chasing his own individual award. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
While Mbappe leads the charge in attack, Thibaut Courtois is competing for another major honour – the Zamora Trophy.
Despite currently being sidelined through injury, the Belgian remains at the top of the standings.
His main rival, Joan Garcia, has not yet reached the required 28 appearances needed to qualify, keeping Courtois in a strong position.
Courtois has conceded only 24 goals in 28 matches, averaging 0.86 goals per game.
Meanwhile, Garcia has conceded 19 goals in 25 appearances, with a slightly better average of 0.76.
Furthermore, David Soria, the Getafe goalkeeper currently second on the standings, has conceded 32 goals in 31 matches.
For Courtois, the equation is simple – he must maintain a tighter defensive record than his rival over the remaining fixtures.
If he manages that, it would secure his fourth Zamora Trophy and further cement his legacy at the club.
A historic double within reach
What makes this even more intriguing is the possibility of a rare double.
If Mbappe secures the Pichichi and Courtois claims the Zamora, Madrid would achieve something not seen in nearly four decades.
The last time this happened was during the 1987–88 season, when Hugo Sanchez and Paco Buyo dominated Spanish football by winning both awards.
Replicating that feat would provide a powerful statement, especially in a season where collective success has been limited.
Clasico pride still on the line
Real Madrid can complete a league double over Barcelona. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Beyond individual accolades, there is still pride to play for in the El Clasico.
Madrid have already secured victory in the first league meeting at the Santiago Bernabeu and now have the chance to complete a clean sweep when they travel to Camp Nou on 10 May.
Achieving wins in both league Clasicos is never straightforward, despite recent trends.
Madrid managed it as recently as the 2023–24 season, but historically, it has been a rare accomplishment. In fact, they have only completed this feat three times in the last 40 years.
There is also added motivation, as despite losing recent finals against Barcelona, Madrid have dominated league encounters, winning eight of the last 12 meetings between the two sides.
A victory at Camp Nou would not only secure bragging rights but also mark a symbolic moment of marking the first Clasico win at the newly opened Spotify Camp Nou.
