Real Madrid left with an uncomfortable question for their players shining at the World Cup

Real Madrid left with an uncomfortable question for their players shining at the World Cup As we enter the Round of 16 stage of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, it is perhaps fair to assess that Real Madrid players have done tremendously well . Kylian Mbappe, in particular, has lit up the World Cup with his consistent scoring tally, while Vinicius Jr. has been the heart of everything Brazil. The list extends to players such as Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde, as well as incoming signings Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries. A collection of individual brilliance But let’s talk about the existing players first. There have been numerous times when Real Madrid players have won the Superior Player of the Match accolade. Mbappe has been arguably the best player in the tournament. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) Mbappe has been in scintillating form for France, collecting multiple awards as he broke the country’s all-time goalscoring record. He has now scored 19 goals in 19 World Cup matches. Jude Bellingham has been equally decisive for England, earning recognition on more than one occasion for his commanding midfield displays. Vinicius Jr, meanwhile, has rediscovered his spark for Brazil, having been involved in five goals for the Selecao . The list does not end there. Federico Valverde stood out for Uruguay before their elimination. The same applies to Arda Guler, notwithstanding Turkey’s poor showing in the group stages. Vinicius Jr. has been unstoppable for Brazil. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) All these players have won the Superior Player of the Match accolade at least once in this World Cup. Real Madrid’s big question According to journalist Jose Felix Diaz of AS , that brilliance has left the club asking themselves an uncomfortable question: why could these same players not replicate this form over the past two seasons? After all, these very players lighting up the World Cup are the ones who endured two trophyless seasons at club level, a run of underperformance that ultimately cost Alvaro Arbeloa his job and paved the way for Jose Mourinho’s arrival. As Diaz notes, the club are left wondering how a squad brimming with this much individual talent, capable of such influence on the world stage, could fall so short collectively over the past two campaigns. The answer to that question is precisely what Jose Mourinho has been brought in to solve, as the Portuguese tactician looks to usher in a new era at the Bernabeu.