Real Madrid failed to qualify directly for the Champions League Round of 16 after a 4-2 defeat to Benfica in the final match of the league stage.
The Royal Club only needed a draw in the Portuguese capital, but instead, Raúl Arbeloa’s men delivered one of their worst performances of the season.
For the second consecutive year, Real Madrid will have to go through the Round of 16 play-offs after finishing ninth in La Liga.
The draw for the play-off matches will take place next Friday, and the seeded and unseeded teams will be drawn in a predetermined order, with higher-ranked teams facing lower-ranked teams.
Who is Real Madrid’s potential opponent in the 2026 Champions League Round of 16 play-offs?
Real Madrid finished ninth in La Liga, and therefore will face either the 24th or 23rd-placed team.
Thus, the draw could pit Real Madrid against Benfica again, or they could face Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt.
It’s worth noting that the second leg will be played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium regardless of the opponent.
