Lothar Matthäus has launched a stunning critique of Real Madrid ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter final second leg, insisting the Spanish giants “lack the right sort of players” and that not a single one of their superstars deserves to be called an icon.
Writing in his Sky column, the Germany legend did not hold back. He named Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric as examples of “characters on the pitch” who “no longer exist” at the Bernabeu.
“I just don’t see the right sort of players at Real,” Matthäus wrote.
‘No Vinicius, no Bellingham, no Mbappé is an icon’
The 65 year old conceded that Madrid’s current crop are talented. Of course they are. Vinicius Junior is a match winner. Jude Bellingham is a phenomenon. Kylian Mbappe is arguably the best forward in the world.
But talent, Matthäus argues, is not the same as authority.
“They are fast, strong on the ball and excellent technicians who naturally possess a certain strength as was evident in the first leg,” he said.
Then came the kicker.
“Nevertheless, they no longer radiate the same authority as in past decades. They are good players, but none is an icon, no Vinicius, no Bellingham, no Mbappé and that’s what Real are missing.”
It is a brutal assessment. And one that will not sit well in the Spanish capital.
Bellingham: the game changer?
Matthäus does see one potential difference maker. Jude Bellingham, who returned from a thigh injury at the end of March and played only the final half hour in the first leg, is set to start on Wednesday.
For Matthäus, the Englishman was “the game changer” for Real Madrid in the first meeting. His energy. His drive. His ability to arrive in the box at the right moment. Those are qualities that cannot be coached.
“Things could turn around quickly especially if Neuer doesn’t have a day like he did in Madrid,” Matthäus added.
Manuel Neuer was sensational at the Bernabeu. Save after save. Intervention after intervention. If he repeats that performance at the Allianz Arena, Madrid will need something extraordinary to progress.
Dress rehearsals told a different story
The weekend fixtures could not have been more contrasting.
Real Madrid laboured to a 1-1 home draw against Girona, slipping nine points behind Barcelona in La Liga. Frustration boiled over after a late penalty appeal was waved away.
Bayern, meanwhile, cruised to a 5-0 win at St. Pauli despite heavy rotation. Then Borussia Dortmund lost to Bayer Leverkusen, stretching Bayern’s lead to 12 points. The title could be wrapped up as early as Sunday.
Momentum. Confidence. Depth. Bayern have all of it. Madrid look fragile.
The bottom line
Matthäus has thrown down the gauntlet. No icons. No authority. No Ramos or Modric to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
Bellingham could change that. He has that kind of presence. But one player cannot carry an entire team against a Bayern side that are flying.
The Allianz Arena awaits. Madrid need a miracle. And Matthäus has told the world why he does not think they will find one.
