A trophyless drought for a club defined by silver trophies
In short: For the first time since 2009–10, Real Madrid finished a season without lifting any silverware. Despite reaching the Champions League semi-finals and finishing as league runners-up, the campaign served as a rare period of transition, marked by structural renovations and significant roster shifts.
The 2020–21 campaign was defined by a sense of displacement. While the club's iconic Santiago Bernabéu stadium underwent major structural renovation, Real Madrid played their entire home schedule at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium. This period also saw the departure of long-time figures: James Rodriguez left for Everton, and Gareth Bale departed on loan to Tottenham Hotspur for the first time since 2012–13.
On the pitch, the season was a mix of high drama and missed opportunities. The club secured notable victories, including a 3–1 win over Real Sociedad's rivals in an El Clásico at Camp Nou on October 24, 2020, and a crucial 3–1 home victory against Liverpool on April 3, 2021. However, these successes were offset by early exits from domestic cups; they were knocked out of the Supercopa de España by Athletic Bilbao on January 14, 2021, and suffered an extra-time defeat to Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey just six days later.
The season concluded with a narrow miss in the title race. Real Madrid finished second in La Liga, trailing Atlético Madrid by only two points after a final-day 2–1 win over Villarreal on May 22, 2021. Chelsea defeated them 2–0 on May 7, 2021, concluding a Champions League semi-final journey that hadn't occurred since 2018. This trophyless stretch marked a significant statistical anomaly for a club that had won silverware in every preceding season back to 2010.
Key performers included Karim Benzema, who provided consistent scoring across all competitions, and Vinícius Júnior, who emerged as a vital attacking force. The season served as a bridge between eras, balancing the legacy of established stars like Sergio Ramos with the integration of new talents during a period of physical and structural rebuilding.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2020–21 Real Madrid CF season
- Also: Wikidata — 2020–21 Real Madrid CF season · CC0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/places-2020-21-real-madrid-cf-season.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Countries and other regions · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics
