“REAL MADRID IS NOTHING MORE THAN AN ARROGANT COLLECTIVE, WITHOUT SOUL AND WITHOUT QUALITY! IN THE FIELD THERE IS NOT A SINGLE THING WORTHY OF RESPECT”.

The phrase, harsh as a direct blow to white pride, did not come from an angry fan or a provocative talk show host.

It was pronounced by Manuel Pellegrini, coach of Real Betis, and in a matter of minutes it became the epicenter of one of the biggest controversies of the 2025-26 La Liga season.

Not only because of the forcefulness of the message, but because of the context, the moment and, above all, because of the immediate response that came from the heart of Real Madrid.

The recent match between Betis and Real Madrid had already left a tense atmosphere. A close, rough match, loaded with physical duels, constant protests and disputed referee decisions. But there was nothing to predict that the real earthquake would occur outside the grass.

In the subsequent press conference, Pellegrini decided not to mince words. He accused Real Madrid of playing with pride, of relying on its shield and of lacking any football value worthy of admiration. For the Chilean coach, Madrid no longer represents greatness, but rather empty arrogance.

His statements were interpreted by many as a release of frustration, but also as a calculated strategy. Pellegrini knows that every phrase directed at Real Madrid has a global echo.

By extending his criticism beyond the game and directly linking it to the race for the La Liga title, the Betis coach suggested that the white team does not deserve to lead or compete for the championship, sowing doubts about its sporting legitimacy.

The reaction was immediate. The Real Madrid locker room, usually shielded from external provocations, broke its silence. And he did not do it through official statements or long speeches. Federico Valverde, one of the emotional leaders of the team, decided to respond in a direct, personal and devastating way. Ten words.

Not one more. A brief, dry message, full of intention, that was enough to change the media focus and put the pressure back on the green and white bench.

Those ten words, whose content soon leaked and went viral, did not contain insults or explicit disqualifications. That is precisely where his strength lay.

It was a cold, almost surgical warning that reminded us who Real Madrid is when it feels attacked and who usually has the last word when the season enters its decisive phase. For many, it was a lesson in hierarchy. For others, a perfectly calculated sporting threat.

From that moment on, Pellegrini’s silence was thunderous. The Chilean coach, so firm minutes before, avoided delving into the matter in subsequent appearances. He didn’t rectify it, but he didn’t insist either. The narrative had changed.

The talk was no longer just about his criticism, but about the Real Madrid reaction and the psychological impact that this type of verbal clashes can have in a fight for the title as tight as this season’s.

Real Madrid, historically, has built its identity around the response. When he is questioned, he usually does so from the field. And players like Valverde symbolize that competitive mentality that does not need big speeches.

In a locker room full of stars, the Uruguayan has earned respect for his dedication, his silent leadership and his ability to appear in moments of maximum tension.

For Betis, however, the episode leaves an ambiguous feeling. On the one hand, Pellegrini reaffirms his character and his bravery by not hiding from the giant. On the other hand, the crudeness of his words could turn against him if Real Madrid responds where it hurts most: in the classification.

In a League where each point weighs like gold, fueling the motivation of a rival accustomed to winning finals can be a strategic error.

Beyond philias and phobias, what happened reflects the extreme climate surrounding La Liga 2025-26. A season marked by tension, equality and a fight for the title in which every gesture, every phrase and every look counts.

Pellegrini lit the fuse with an incendiary statement. Valverde put it out with just ten words. The rest, as always, will be resolved on the grass.

Because in the end, in Spanish football, words hurt, provoke and shake, but it is the results that dictate the sentence.

And Real Madrid, accused of having nothing worthy of respect, seems more than willing to demonstrate, once again, that when challenged, it responds without needing to shout.