Trophyless seasons don’t come often for Real Madrid, but if they do they’re rarely so costly for the players.
Madrid ended the 2025/26 campaign without a title, and arguably did it back-to-back having just won minor honours the previous campaign.
The results had an impact on Florentino Perez, who won his re-election by a far lower number than many expected.
But most of all, it impacted the players, with a series of Galacticos missing out on the 2026 World Cup in dramatic fashion.
Names such as Andriy Lunin didn’t qualify for the tournament, while elite talents like Rodrygo are out injured.
But alongside them there an even more shocking selection of Real Madrid players who have paid the price by getting dropped by their countries.
It all started with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who hasn’t appeared under Thomas Tuchel for England anyway, but it then ended with Franco Mastantuono, who went from Argentina’s next big thing to out of their squad.
Between that, Dean Huijsen and Eduardo Camavinga saw their summers ruined when they were dropped by the tournament favourites, Spain and France.
Looking at their transfer fees, as per transfermarkt values, this incredible 11 of players not selected equal €450million, and that’s without mentioning players like Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy who used to be regulars for their countries.
Real Madrid’s incredible XI of players not at the 2026 World Cup
Goalkeeper
Andriy Lunin, Ukraine, €15m, didn’t qualify
Defenders
Trent Alexander-Arnold, England, €65m, not selected
Éder Militão, Brazil, €25m, injured
Raúl Asencio, Spain, €25m, not selected
Álvaro Carreras, Spain, €60m, not selected
Midfielders
Dean Huijsen, Spain, €65m, not selected
Eduardo Camavinga, France, €50m, not selected
Thiago Pitarch, Spain €20m, not selected
Forwards
Franco Mastantuono, Argentina, €45m, not selected
Gonzalo García, Spain, €30m, not selected
Rodrygo, Brazil, €50m, injured
Extras
Dani Ceballos €8m
Ferland Mendy €6m
Dani Carvajal €6m
Fran García €12m
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