Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League league phase delivered plenty of drama, dazzling performances, and a fair share of intrigue—especially for Real Madrid. The Spanish giants, fresh off a commanding 5-0 victory over Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan on October 1, 2025, are making headlines not just for their on-field dominance but also for the stories swirling around their star-studded squad.
At the heart of Madrid’s emphatic win was Kylian Mbappe, who lit up the Astana Arena with a breathtaking hat trick. The French forward’s clinical finishing and relentless movement left the Kazakhstani defense in tatters, earning him the coveted UEFA Player of the Week honor. “Mbappé’s hat-trick earns him Player of the Week!” the official Champions League account announced Thursday, October 2, 2025, underscoring just how vital his performance was in securing Real Madrid’s second consecutive win of the European campaign.
Mbappe’s three-goal haul wasn’t just about personal glory. It propelled him ahead of other top performers across Europe, including Napoli’s Rasmus Hojlund, FK Bodo/Glimt’s Jens Petter Hauge, and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. UEFA’s Team of the Week reflected this, with Mbappe named as one of the two forwards—alongside Hojlund, who netted a brace in Napoli’s 2-1 win over Sporting CP. But UEFA made sure to recognize talent across the board, selecting 11 players from different clubs for its weekly all-star lineup: Uğurcan Çakır (Galatasaray); Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Eric Dier (AS Monaco), Nuno Mendes (PSG); Nicolas Pepe (Villarreal), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), Jens Petter Hauge (FK Bodo/Glimt); Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), and Rasmus Hojlund (Napoli).
While Mbappe’s heroics grabbed the headlines, the game’s aftermath was dominated by off-field narratives—none more compelling than the situation surrounding Federico Valverde. The Uruguayan midfielder, a stalwart for Madrid in the past two seasons with over 4,000 minutes each campaign, found himself at the center of speculation and controversy. On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Valverde took to social media to address what he called damaging articles about his reputation. “I have read several articles damaging my reputation,” he wrote. “I know I have had bad games, I am aware of that. I am not hiding and I am facing up to it. I am really sad. People can say many things about me, but under no circumstances can they say that I refuse to play.”
Valverde’s statement came after he was surprisingly benched for the match against Kairat—a rare occurrence for Madrid’s vice-captain, who has been described by team sources as a shy presence in the dressing room but a leader on the pitch. His versatility under former coach Carlo Ancelotti was legendary, with appearances as a right-winger, right-back, and right-sided midfielder, though his preference has always been central midfield. This season, under new coach Xabi Alonso, Valverde has struggled to replicate his previous impact, particularly compared to teammate Aurelien Tchouameni, who has thrived in Alonso’s high-pressing system.
Valverde’s discomfort in unfamiliar roles became a talking point after the Champions League opener last month, when right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a hamstring injury. The Uruguayan expressed reluctance to be used as a makeshift right-back again, stating, “I’ve had many conversations with the coach, he knows what he really wants, but in the end, I think I deserve more opportunities in my position. I’m happy in midfield.” Despite these comments, Valverde maintained that he was always available for the team, a sentiment echoed in his pre-match press conference: “You can call me a liar. Ask the manager, I’ve always said that I’m at the team’s disposal. I’ve never refused to play in any position. I always give my best, wherever I am.”
Yet, when the team sheet was revealed for the Kairat match, Valverde’s name was absent from the starting lineup and substitutes used. Observers noted he warmed up at a slower pace than usual, fueling rumors about his attitude. However, sources close to Valverde insisted his omission was a pre-planned rest and denied any refusal to warm up. They were adamant: “He has never argued with Alonso or asked the coach to play him in a specific position.” Valverde himself doubled down in his social media post, affirming, “I have a good relationship with the coach, which makes me feel confident enough to tell him which position I like best on the pitch, but I have always, always let him know that I am available to play anywhere, on any trip and in every match. I’ve put my heart and soul into this club and I’ll continue to do so, even if sometimes I don’t perform as well as I’d like or I’m not playing as much as I’d like. I swear on my pride that I’ll never give up and I’ll fight until the end, playing wherever I’m needed.”
If Valverde’s situation wasn’t enough to keep tongues wagging, Vinicius Junior added another layer of intrigue. The Brazilian winger, who leads Real Madrid in assists with four but has scored just three goals this season (level with Arda Güler and trailing Mbappe’s eight), was substituted with about 20 minutes remaining in the Kairat game. Cameras caught Vinicius making animated gestures as he walked past Alonso, sparking speculation about a rift with the manager. However, reports clarified that Vinicius’s frustration was actually directed at teammates who failed to pass to him in promising positions, not at Alonso himself. The coach dismissed the incident, describing it as “a comment that we understood,” rather than a complaint.
Vinicius’s season has been a mixed bag. After finishing 16th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or standings—well behind his own expectations and even behind Viktor Gyökeres, a player from outside Europe’s top five leagues—he’s found himself sharing the spotlight with new arrivals and emerging talents. Five Madrid players have logged more minutes than him this term, and his on-field demeanor has occasionally drawn criticism. Defender Unai Elgezabal, following Levante’s recent 5-2 win over Madrid, accused Vinicius of being disrespectful, stating, “When we’re disrespected, I think we have to say enough is enough. I know he’s a player with a lot of potential, but there are different situations that I don’t handle as a person. I think I defend and transmit values that mean sometimes, it has to be said that enough is enough. It wasn’t the time for that, for me, it was out of place.”
With the Champions League now pausing for the October international break, Madrid’s next European test will come in a much-anticipated clash against Juventus at the Santiago Bernabeu on October 21, 2025. Until then, questions about Valverde’s role, Vinicius’s frustrations, and Mbappe’s relentless form will continue to swirl. The storylines are far from settled, and the world will be watching as the drama resumes in Madrid’s quest for continental glory.
