3 Christmas Wishes for Real Madrid Fans

Real Madrid could be forgiven for feeling less merry than Scrooge this Christmas, given that Barcelona have just ripped the FIFA Club World Cup champions badge from their shirts.

Los Blancos are in a state of disarray, with fans calling for the manager and president to be sacked and resign, respectively—and all that despite a thumping 10-2 win over Rayo Vallecano last weekend.

So the first Christmas wish a Real Madrid fan might ask for is some peace and harmony at the Santiago Bernabeu. No more in-fighting.

There always seems to be someone or other kicking up a fuss. Most recently, there was Alvaro Arbeloa. The Madrid defender upset his team-mates by turning up late for the Christmas dinner because he wanted to see the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, per Sport:

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Some of the players with the most weight within the dressing room did not take his actions well, given that he prioritised the Star Wars film over the team bonding session ahead of Christmas. They were especially upset given many of them have defended him recently after his spat with Gerard Pique.

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Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Before that, radio station COPE (h/t Sport EN) suggested that James Rodriguez had been going out and partying too much, following in the footsteps of Mesut Ozil.

And, of course, there’s the whole Karim Benzema alleged blackmail court case.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Pick a random Real Madrid player and there are likely to be signs of discontent.

They say Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave, Gareth Bale is thinking of a return to the Premier League and Toni Kroos is feeling upset and left out. Marcelo was snubbed by the coach, Jese is agitating and, while Denis Cheryshev hasn’t been complaining, he was at the centre of huge embarrassment for Real Madrid.

Their elimination from the Copa del Rey for playing the Russian winger when he was suspended was a source of frustration for a club which is mired in drama.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

The second wish is for a present of a more tangible nature: Bayern Munich’s Polish hitman Robert Lewandowski.

The striker is the closest player out there to touching the performance levels of Barcelona’s trident of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.

While Ronaldo is on the Ballon d’Or podium, Madrid have to start thinking about their future.

Bayern’s clinical forward turns 28 in August and is entering his peak. If given the right service, he is the only player who could replace Ronaldo’s contribution to Madrid in terms of goals.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

The third wish concerns their manager, or rather the managerial position.

Some Real Madrid fans are already hoping to see the back of Rafa Benitez. Others want to give him more time, arguing that they are still in the title race and flying in the UEFA Champions League.

But what would be good for Madrid fans is to not have to worry about it any longer. Either Benitez is removed and a new man is hired—whether that’s former Los Blancos coach Jose Mourinho or someone else—or the club makes a clear and definitive statement that Benitez is staying.

President Florentino Perez has said on various occasions that Benitez is the man to turn things around, but his words have lacked conviction and belief.

Alberto Saiz/Associated Press

Real Madrid fans would be more comfortable heading into the business end of the season with stability rather than speculation.

Until Mourinho is picked up by a new club after his dismissal at Chelsea, the rumours that he is wanted back in the Spanish capital will continue.

But, calling on the spirit of Christmas, can’t things just go smoothly at Real Madrid for once?