One of the keys to Real Madrid's successes is the excellent harmony that coach Carlo Ancelotti has managed to create with his team.
The primary factor is that Real Madrid players possess an enormous quality that justifies the successes they are achieving. However, that quality transforms into egos that need to be managed.
The Leaders of Real Madrid's Locker Room
The human quality of Real Madrid's team is extraordinary. The relationship among them is harmonious. They are professionals and friends, some more than others, who understand that there's a common goal that they all share.
It's also true that within any group there are leaders and cliques. In Real Madrid's locker room, too.
There are four players who have the gift of leadership. When they speak, the others fall silent. Regardless of their roles on the field, there are leaders in the locker room.
Real Madrid's are Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal, Thibaut Courtois, and Jude Bellingham. The latter is destined to make history at the club. A year has been enough for him to earn the respect of his teammates.
They are responsible for keeping the peace in line with Ancelotti's interests. Without their collaboration, putting out fires, Ancelotti would find his governance more challenging.
The Cliques in the Locker Room
As in any group, there are also flare-ups in Real Madrid. There are very temperamental players whom the captains have to calm down. This is the case with Vinícius, Militão, and Rüdiger.
There are also groups. Not everyone is friends with each other, although there's no source of tension either. Players group together based on language or origin affinities.
Thus, the Spanish group consists of Carvajal, Lucas Vázquez, Fran García, Asencio, Ceballos, Brahim, and Vallejo. Fede Valverde is also there, fully integrated as another Spaniard.
Although not by much, the Spanish group is the largest (7). It's followed by the French group with 5 (Courtois, although Belgian, Mbappé, Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Mendy)
The Brazilian group consists of Vinícius, Militão, Rodrygo, and Endrick. Then there's a final group of players from various nationalities united because they all communicate in English: Rudiger, Lunin, Alaba, Bellingham, Modric, and Güler.
The leadership in the locker room is held, in this order, by Carvajal, Modric, Courtois, and Bellingham. The latter two are not captains. It's important to remember that this locker room was absolutely controlled until a few months ago by Nacho and Toni Kroos.
Carvajal has taken over, Modric is giving his last efforts, and Bellingham presents himself as an outsider to become the great captain and Carvajal's successor.
Vinícius and Mbappé Don't Command Anything
The current captains are Modric, Carvajal, Valverde, and Lucas Vázquez. They are homegrown players with many years of experience.
They are vital to making the newcomers understand what Real Madrid is. Reminding others that the word "lose" doesn't exist in their dictionary.
Curiously, two top-level players like Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé barely have any weight in the locker room. At least for now, in the case of the Frenchman. They are the bosses on the field, but not in the sacred sanctuary.