According to reports, in the two quarter-final matches against Arsenal, these four stars managed only five shots on target—a shocking statistic for a team with such talent.

Arsenal, who dismantled Real Madrid’s previous galactic project in 2006, once again shook the foundations of the current project. Real’s managerial decisions, such as sidelining Toni Kroos, Nacho, and Joselu to accommodate Mbappe, without considering team needs, contributed to this failure. This approach resembles past mistakes like selling Claude Makélélé—collecting expensive stars while ignoring team structure.

Real’s four stars failed to show even a shadow of a terrifying attack line, neither in London nor at the Bernabéu. In 180 minutes, these four players—worth €650 million—managed only one more shot than Arsenal’s midfielder Declan Rice. Mbappe didn’t register a single shot on target in the second leg. Thibaut Courtois, Real’s goalkeeper, admitted the absence of a true finisher like Joselu hurt the team. Arsenal, with superior organization and stamina (running 8 km more than Real), proved to be the more cohesive side.

Vinicius Junior once again drew fans’ anger with poor performance and lack of effort, getting substituted in extra time. Mbappe, signed to shine in such matches, disappointed with missed penalties and injuries, failing to score in the round of 16 and quarter-finals.

The absence of Kroos, who Jorge Valdano said “kept the house in order” at Real, was sorely felt. Real’s attack, without Karim Benzema and lacking coordinated pressing, crumbled like a sandcastle. This Real side, relying on individual talent without teamwork, thought minimal effort could bring success—but football doesn’t work that way. Fans at the Bernabéu, witnessing this failure, are now protesting against their stars, deepening the rift between the team and supporters.