“The year we were there, 80% of the players truly felt what it means” - Joselu highlights what Real Madrid are lacking now

Qatar Stars League club Al-Gharafa striker Joselu has claimed that Real Madrid's main issue is the lack of competitive edge. He believes that the current players do not give it their all for the club and do not understand the pressure of the shirt.

Speaking to AS, Joselu recalled his teammates at Real Madrid, saying that they would be ready to go to war every time they wore the club colors. He namedropped Nacho Fernandes, Lucas Vazquez, and Dani Carvajal and said (via Madrid Xtra):

“At Real Madrid, perhaps there’s a lack of that competitive edge, that feeling. The year we were there, about 80% of the players truly felt what it means to wear the Madrid shirt. Today, I don’t know if that feeling has been lost or not. When you play with the genuine feeling of being a true Madrid fan, you get something extra."

"When you’re missing something, you have to have that feeling. I had it, and I saw that Nacho would k*ll for the club, that Carvajal would k*ll for the club even with half a knee, Lucas Vázquez the same, Fede the same, Vini gives his all and is a die-hard Madrid fan.”

Joselu played 51 matches for Los Blancos, scoring 19 goals and assisting 3 times. He left the club in 2024 to join Al-Gharafa, where he has scored 25 goals in 47 games.

Real Madrid star backed to win Ballon d'Or in 2026

Netherlands legend Wesley Sneijder has backed Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe to win the Ballon d'Or in 2026. He believes that the Frenchman is ahead of all competition this season and told Marca:

"I maintain that with the current points system, I'm almost certain Mbappé will win the trophy next season, 100%. Plus, he's become a true striker - he's more effective than when he played on the wing, and Real Madrid doesn't need a player like Haaland. As for Vinicius, he might win it the following year. Both of them have the potential."

"Vinicius maybe could have won it two years ago. He deserved it back then, but it's no shame. Personally, and I don't know what others think, I was happier lifting the Champions League trophy than winning a Ballon d'Or without the Champions League that season."

Kylian Mbappe has 28 goals and five assists in all competitions for Los Blancos this season, with 17 goals coming in La Liga.