Bookmakers probably wouldn't have offered high odds on José Mourinho's first press conference outburst occurring before the Pilar festival in October. Yet here we are in early October, and the Mourinho who arrived at Valdebebas in the summer—relatively composed, smiling, and seemingly measured—has transformed into a textbook hothead, becoming the face of Real Madrid's grievances. Complaints and a victim mentality now define the club's narrative.

At this point, the only issues worth discussing are how to address the so-called "anti-Mbappé" sentiment and the perpetually turbulent Vinicius situation. But lately, almost no one at Real Madrid is talking about football anymore. Sometimes looking back at the past can help us rediscover the club's true character: if Real Madrid has always represented grace and greatness, why so much complaining now? Why so much bitterness?

What would Santiago Bernabéu think of a Real Madrid so prone to grievances? Doesn't anyone realize that every complaint against referees—and against UEFA, LaLiga, or the Spanish Football Federation—makes Real Madrid appear increasingly small?

You have to look back far to find such a striking contrast in style, conduct, and substance between these two giants. The cyclical nature of competition is well-known: when one thrives, the other struggles. Yet the disparity in the footballing image now projected by Barcelona and Real Madrid is remarkable.

While one side focuses on playing football, the other appears devoted to fostering conspiracy theories, undermining its own assets—the "Mbappé controversy" and thousands of Real Madrid supporters inexplicably turning against their best players—or escalating matters like the "Negreira report" to UEFA.

History shows us that everything comes full circle. Barcelona has self-destructed before while Real Madrid flourished without hesitation. In 1988, for instance, Barcelona's dressing room was consumed by the "Hesperia Mutiny," while Real Madrid fans savored the weekly brilliance of the "Quinta del Buitre." Similar cycles are numerous throughout history.

What is clear is that reflection is warranted. Barcelona has managed to keep boardroom issues from contaminating the dressing room. Real Madrid, meanwhile, has become unclear about whether the dressing room atmosphere is poisoning the boardroom or whether the boardroom is poisoning the dressing room. At the center of this storm, Mourinho has reverted to form from his previous tenure at Real Madrid, showing no capacity for self-criticism: external enemies are always to blame.

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