Real Madrid, a team expected to dominate football with its star-studded lineup, including the world’s best striker, has faced 13 defeats this season, including a loss to a rejuvenated Barcelona. The cycle has clearly shifted, and the responsibility falls on the sporting management, coaching staff, and players.

Real Madrid needs a serious overhaul. The team cannot rely solely on long balls and hope its stars will solve problems. It requires a clear structure, hierarchy, and a focal player around whom the team can revolve. However, the biggest issue is the lack of accountability.

In tough moments, the team’s biggest stars are absent, while players like Valverde and Thibaut Courtois speak courageously and even criticize the team’s performance. Valverde, despite his excellent performance in the Copa del Rey final, expressed frustration: “It happened again. I’m sad, angry, and feel helpless. I owe it to the fans. This season has been physically and mentally tough, but I’ll fight for this club as long as my legs allow.”

Valverde gave everything in the final—running, fighting, and delivering his best performance, whether in midfield or as a right-back. He is a player who fights for Real Madrid without complaint. But why should a player like him, who bears the least blame for the defeat, be held accountable? The answer is simple: a lack of leadership.

Real Madrid lacks a captain who can inspire the team through on-field performance. Dani Carvajal, who was injured, had more influence from the stands than some players on the pitch. Valverde, however, embodies the spirit of a captain—a role model for younger players who never gives up and fights wholeheartedly for the team. Even without the armband, he is a true leader.

Valverde wrote on social media: “We’ll come back, we’ll keep going, and I’ll fight with all my heart to honor Real Madrid, its fans, and its glorious history.”

As one of the season’s best performers, Valverde shouldn’t have had to justify himself. Yet, his courage in taking responsibility reflects his character. If Real Madrid’s next coach still doesn’t know who the team should be built around, perhaps they don’t understand leadership. Valverde is not just a key player but a symbol of the fighting spirit Real Madrid needs to return to the top.