Santiago Canizares, La Liga legend
Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images
Real Madrid have already lost two of their opening seven La Liga matches, against Real Betis and Atletico Madrid, leaving Jose Mourinho’s side under significant pressure in the early stages of the campaign.
After all, Barcelona have won all of their matches and have taken a six-point lead at the top of the table, whereas Los Blancos currently sit fourth in the standings.
The defeat to Atletico Madrid this past weekend, in particular, has drawn a lot of criticism towards the team, although Mourinho did not accept responsibility for the defeats in his post-match press conference, instead pointing to the referees.
Nevertheless, the team’s performances have consequently come under scrutiny, with former Real Madrid star and La Liga icon Santiago Canizares offering his assessment on COPE (via SPORT).
Strong criticism of Vinicius Jr. and Marc Cucurella
The former Real Madrid goalkeeper was also highly critical of Vinicius Jr.’s current performances.
The Brazilian is now one of the club captains, but Canizares believes his contribution has been insufficient.
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid player
Vinicius has been poor this season. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
“He’s a player who, at the moment, and especially with the captain’s armband, I think takes much more away than he gives,” he said.
Canizares also questioned the form of Real Madrid summer signing, Marc Cucurella, arguing that the left-back has not reproduced the level he showed with Spain.
“He isn’t the player we saw at the World Cup,” the former shot-stopper stated.
The former goalkeeper was nevertheless keen to distinguish Cucurella’s current form from his overall quality, saying:
“I’m not questioning him because his ability is beyond doubt, but he isn’t currently the player we saw at the World Cup, at the Euros or with the Spanish national team in general.”
Canizares backs Real Madrid’s complaints
Meanwhile, Canizares also addressed the refereeing decisions made by Ortiz Arias, particularly two challenges involving Real Madrid players that could have resulted in red cards, saying:
“Mourinho is right. Madrid supporters are right that the referee did not help them.”
However, the former goalkeeper identified what he considers to be a broader issue with the club’s sporting planning.
Yan Diomande, Real Madrid player
Canizares criticised the fee paid for Yan Diomande. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
He pointed to the failed attempt to sign Rodri, the decision to spend more than €140 million on Yan Diomande and the renewal of Vinicius.
Canizares was particularly critical of the fee paid for Diomande, as he said: “He’s a good player, but they paid twice what he’s worth.”
He added that, in his view, the deal was connected to negotiations involving Vinicius and his representatives.
“It was a price that had to be paid for Vinícius’ representatives to say yes to the Vinícius offer,” he said.
Cañizares’ comments come as Real Madrid look to respond to their difficult start and address a number of concerns surrounding Mourinho’s squad once the international break is over.
Real Madrid hit back at journalist and warn of possible legal action: ‘Deplorable and unacceptable’
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Real Madrid have issued a strong response to journalist Juanma Castano after he compared Real Madrid TV with Gara in an opinion column for ABC, prompting the club to warn that it could take further action.
The controversy comes two days after the Madrid derby, with the refereeing performance of Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias continuing to generate debate.
Real Madrid have maintained that several decisions went against them, including two first-half incidents involving Atletico Madrid players that they believe should have resulted in dismissals.
The club has also continued to highlight the refereeing decisions through Real Madrid TV, something it has regularly done in recent seasons.
Real Madrid object to Castano’s comparison
While much of the media discussion has focused on Real Madrid’s reaction to the refereeing, Juanma Castano criticised the club in a column published by ABC.
🔵 #OPINIÓN El Real Madrid, en guerra
🗣️ «Centrar en los arbitrajes los males de este club es ser un ciego ante algo que viene de muy atrás»
✍️ Por Juanma Castañohttps://t.co/R9AQ6CinTG pic.twitter.com/sTHsDbeqlW
— ABC.es (@abc_es) September 21, 2026
Although acknowledging mistakes by Ortiz Arias, Castano questioned Real Madrid TV’s coverage of the referee and compared the club’s official channel to Gara, a newspaper whose history is linked to the former ETA terrorist organisation.
The column included the line: “On the official television channel, which is the Gara of ultra-Florentinism, they are calling for abandoning the national competitions.”
Real Madrid have strongly objected to that comparison.
Club warns of possible measures
In an official statement, Real Madrid claimed that the club consider the comparison to be beyond what they regard as acceptable criticism and have described it as an attack on their reputation.
“Real Madrid CF considers the comparison made by Cope journalist Juanma Castano between RealMadrid TV and the newspaper Gara , in an article published today in the ABC newspaper, to be absolutely deplorable and unacceptable.”
“Our club believes that comparing Real Madrid’s official media outlet to a newspaper whose history is linked to the world of the terrorist group ETA constitutes an extremely serious exercise that crosses all limits.”
Comunicado Oficial.https://t.co/2ggOvDZCLw
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 22, 2026
The Merengues defended Real Madrid TV’s right to report on refereeing decisions and to represent the interests of the club.
“RealMadrid TV legitimately exercises its right to inform and defend the interests of our club, its members and its fans, and is the official media outlet of a club with 124 years of history, representing the sensibilities and values of millions of fans around the world.”
Real Madrid concluded by making clear that they are considering their options following Castano’s comments.
“Real Madrid reserves the right to take whatever measures it deems appropriate in response to an attack that is completely unacceptable.”
The dispute adds another layer to the fallout from the Madrid derby, with the refereeing decisions, Real Madrid’s public complaints and the subsequent reaction continuing to generate controversy several days after the match.