The German newspaper Die Welt launched a scathing attack on Real Madrid following their exit from the UEFA Champions League against Bayern Munich, describing the Spanish club as "the worst losers in global football."
The criticism came in a lengthy report that addressed the team's behavior after elimination, which the newspaper considered a continuation of the trend of blaming refereeing after defeats.
Accusations of Unsportsmanlike Behavior and Ongoing Doubts About Referees
The report noted that Real Madrid's reactions after the European exit were filled with accusations against referees, considering that this behavior has become a "consistent pattern" for the club in crucial matches.
The newspaper also criticized what it described as "the club losing part of its sporting respect" in recent years, amid ongoing controversies surrounding refereeing decisions.
Criticism of On-Field Events and Administrative Positions
The report also touched on the red card given to player Eduardo Camavinga during the match, considering that the individual error was one of the factors affecting the result, alongside the team's overall performance.
The newspaper pointed out previous positions of the club that it deemed controversial, including protests related to major individual award decisions.
Rising Controversy Surrounding Real Madrid's Image in European Media
This media attack comes amid ongoing controversy regarding Real Madrid's performance and behavior in European competitions, especially after repeated eliminations in the decisive stages of the tournament.
Observers believe that such criticisms reflect a wide media and public polarization around one of the largest football clubs in the world, at a time when continental competition is intensifying.