It’s almost that time again. Champions League nights are around the corner, and for Real Madrid, the standard is always the same: win it, or it's a failure.
But as good as Xabi Alonso's squad has been in La Liga, not every player is firing at the level Madridistas expect. If Los Blancos want to storm Europe again, a few key players must raise their game quickly.
3 Real Madrid players who must step up in the Champions League
1. Rodrygo Goes can’t stay quiet any longer
Rodrygo is no stranger to Champions League magic. Who can forget his brace against Manchester City in the 2022 semifinal, when two goals in two minutes sent the Bernabéu ecstatic? That’s the kind of killer instinct Madridistas expect from him.
But this season, his numbers haven’t matched the standard of a player tipped to be a future Ballon d’Or contender. The Brazilian is yet to score this season and has struggled for consistency against low blocks. Alonso’s 4-2-3-1 system gives him chances to drift inside, but he must rediscover his sharpness where it matters the most.
Champions League knockout ties are defined by clutch scorers: Rodrygo has been that man before, but unfortunately, now he needs to prove he can do it again in a new Madrid attack.
2. Fede Valverde must take control of the midfield
Valverde must step up, but not for any harsh reason. He is already one of the best midfielders in the world; this is well-known. In games like this, Real Madrid need Valverde to be even better than he is on average, which is some ceiling to reach.
With Luka Modrić's departure last season, the midfield landscape has shifted. Alonso now leans on a younger core: Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Bellingham, and Valverde. Among them, Valverde is the most experienced in Madrid colors, but too often he fades into the background.
His engine is unmatched. Real Madrid fans know this. But the truth is, Madrid doesn't just need a runner; they need a leader.
In high-pressure knockout games, when Madrid are under siege, Valverde must dictate tempo, recycle possession under pressure, and drive the team forward. He has the talent to be the heartbeat of Alonso’s midfield, but now it’s about consistency and dominance, not just flashes.
3. Ferland Mendy must prove he’s reliable
If Ferland Mendy is to be given a chance at Real Madrid, which is unlikely, it will be in the Champions League group stage. If given this chance, he must make the most of it.
At left-back, Madrid still haven’t found the next Marcelo. Ferland Mendy has long been the defensive option, the man trusted to handle elite wingers one-on-one. According to FBref, he averaged 1.46 tackles and 1.30 interceptions per 90 minutes in La Liga 2023/24, showing how effective he can be at shutting down danger on his flank.
But the problem isn’t talent. Its reliability and consistency. Since joining in 2019, Mendy has missed significant chunks of multiple seasons due to injuries. And when fit, lapses in concentration have occasionally hurt Madrid, especially in high-stakes matches.
Now that Álvaro Carreras has arrived at Real Madrid and is in fine form at the start of this season, this only makes life more difficult for Ferland Mendy.
Filling the Modrić void
For two decades, Luka Modrić was Madrid’s metronome in Europe. His departure leaves a creative gap that no single player can fill. That responsibility now falls on a collective: Bellingham’s final-third brilliance, Valverde’s box-to-box drive, and Camavinga’s versatility.
One wild card could be Arda Güler, the 20-year-old Turkish starlet. His close control and vision mirror shades of Modrić, and Alonso has hinted at giving him more minutes in cup competitions. If Madrid wants to avoid looking predictable, Güler’s rise could be essential.
Champions League nights don’t forgive mediocrity. Rodrygo must rediscover his killer instinct, Valverde must move the needle into a newfound leadership role, and Mendy must relish each rare opportunity he gets. Add to that the challenge of replacing Modrić, and it’s clear Alonso’s Madrid is entering a new era.
If these players step up, Los Blancos will once again look like Europe’s team to beat. If not, the cracks could appear at the worst possible moment.