Real Madrid had ten players from last season’s roster selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the highest representation coming from France and Brazil, both featuring two players.
The club also made three signings at the beginning of the tournament, adding Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella, and Bernardo Silva, all of whom participated actively in the tournament.
Notably, the competition brought significant joy for some players while others faced disappointment early in the tournament.
The tournament, held in North America, was rife with controversy and unexpected outcomes, leading to the elimination of several top contenders.
Ultimately, while Real Madrid had a strong presence in the semifinals, their attendance in the final was notably limited.
Madrid Universal provides a breakdown of Real Madrid’s players in the tournament and their performances, ranked from the biggest disappointments to the greatest successes.
13. Bernardo Silva
A start to forget for Bernardo Silva. Though fans were excited about his move to Real Madrid, his World Cup journey was far from impressive.
Silva struggled to perform at the expected level, as he was expected to contribute significantly as a creative mind for Portugal. After the first match against DR Congo, he found himself benched, unable to cope with the physicality and stress of the competition.
As the tournament progressed, he became more of a sidelined presence with minimal participation, which was disappointing given his abilities.
12. Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate had a minimal role throughout the World Cup, primarily remaining on the bench as he struggled to find minutes in Didier Deschamps’ rotation.
His initial minutes came as a substitute against Norway, before starting in France’s third-place match against England, which unfortunately did not go well for him.
During that game, Konate struggled against England’s forwards, making key mistakes leading to goals conceded, and was substituted at halftime.
This tournament ended quite poorly for him, marked by limited exposure and a rough debut that will likely weigh heavily on his mind as he returns to Madrid.
Federico Valverde was another player who did not meet the high expectations set for him. His team, Uruguay, faced an early exit in the group stage, and Valverde struggled alongside his teammates.
He was expected to be a central figure in Marcelo Bielsa’s pressing style but could not deliver, failing to assert control in midfield or generate chances for the forward line. Even his pressing was subpar.
To compound his on-field issues, the player was reportedly involved in internal discord within the squad that hampered their tournament hopes. Valverde allegedly played a role in that discord, which does not bode well for his reputation.
Overall, he will undoubtedly be disappointed with his performances and decisions during the tournament, ranking as one of Real Madrid’s letdowns.
Valverde failed to rise to the occasion. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Arda Güler, Turkey’s brightest star, entered the World Cup as a critical player but struggled to find his footing amidst the physicality, failing to have a substantial impact on the pitch. His creative skill set was not showcased, culminating in an underwhelming campaign despite a solitary goal against the USA.
Antonio Rudiger, as a veteran in the German national team, began as a substitute but became a starter following an injury to a teammate. His defensive efforts were solid, yet Germany’s struggles against Paraguay during their elimination hindered his ranking despite a strong individual showing.
Aurelien Tchouameni’s World Cup was marred by fitness issues. Though he began the tournament as a key player for France, missing key matches affected his impact when he finally featured. His lackluster performance in the semifinal against Spain highlighted his struggles throughout the tournament, which overshadowed his skills.
Tchouameni struggled with fitness and performance. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Despite entering as a pivotal figure in Deschamps’ scheme, Tchouameni’s inconsistent performance during the tournament cast doubt on his reliability and value within the squad.
Real Madrid’s young talent, Endrick, received limited opportunities in Brazil’s opening matches, sparking discussions on social media. However, he showed promise in his subsequent appearances against Japan and Norway, improving the team’s attacking dynamics even in limited roles.
Thibaut Courtois maintained his reputation as a top goalkeeper, showcasing his skills during Belgium’s challenging matches and making crucial saves. His standout performance came against Iran, where he played an essential role despite the team’s struggles throughout the tournament.
For Morocco, Brahim Diaz emerged as a key player, contributing significantly to the team’s offensive efforts and achieving multiple assists. While his performance trailed off in the later rounds, he made a strong impact during the group stages.
Vinicius Junior shone in Brazil’s underwhelming World Cup journey, scoring critical goals in group matches and displaying his attacking prowess. Despite facing tough defenses in the knockout stages, he continued to generate chances and considerable pressure.
3. Marc Cucurella
Cucurella’s World Cup journey was marked by crucial contributions to Spain’s success, ultimately earning him a place as the tournament’s standout left-back.
Despite his club transfer occurring before the tournament began, he proved his mettle by helping Spain secure vital victories through solid defensive plays and key assists.
Jude Bellingham excelled as one of the tournament’s brightest stars, finishing with impressive stats and playing a crucial role in England’s deep run. He emerged as the team’s leading scorer and consistently displayed remarkable attacking prowess.
His contributions included goals during critical knockout matches, further solidifying his status among the elite players in the competition.
1. Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe was one of the standout players of the tournament, finishing as the top goalscorer with an impressive ten goals and demonstrating exceptional impact in high-pressure moments.
His ability to deliver under pressure, including multiple braces against strong sides, highlighted his status as a crucial player for France.
While France did not reach the final, Mbappe’s performance solidified his legacy in World Cup history, emphasizing his reliability and mark on the game’s biggest stage.