How Champions League failure triggers dual disappointment for Real Madrid | OneFootball

According to a report from Defensa Central, it has come to light that Real Madrid’s exit from the UEFA Champions League against Arsenal has delivered a major setback to the Ballon d’Or ambitions of both Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.

After a heavy 1-5 aggregate defeat, the Spanish giants not only saw their European adventure come to an end, but also watched their superstar forwards slip out of the running for football’s most prestigious individual prize..

Ahead of the season, Real Madrid were aware that defending their Champions League crown could be difficult.

Nonetheless, there had been a clear perception within the club that succeeding in Europe might considerably improve the Ballon d’Or chances of their star players.

The club’s thinking was pretty much straightforward—if they could retain the title, the award would almost certainly go to one of their own. However, with the quarter-final exit confirmed, that dream has vanished..

European failure brings double disappointment

Mbappe and Vinicius’ chances have fallen. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The defeat to Arsenal did more than just end Real Madrid’s European run—it ended Mbappe and Vinicius’ hopes of lifting the Ballon d’Or this year.

Even if Real Madrid go on to win La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Club World Cup, the general feeling is that those titles alone will not be enough.

This is because for the Ballon d’Or, Champions League success often carries the most weight, and falling short at the quarter-final stage has likely ruled both players out of contention.

What makes this event more frustrating for the duo is that many are blaming them for the team’s failure. Both have underperformed in big matches, and neither managed to shine against Arsenal.

As things stand, the Ballon d’Or is no longer within reach for Real Madrid’s top forwards. Their hopes now rest on finishing the domestic season strongly, even if the biggest individual reward is already out of sight.