Morientes Takes Aim at Real Madrid Forward After Benfica Defeat

Club legend Fernando Morientes has criticised the performance of Real Madrid forward Franco Mastantuono after their defeat to Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday. 

According to the former Los Blancos striker, the club also lacked ideas after going behind against the Portuguese side.

Morientes Singles Out Mastantuono After Real Madrid Defeat

Real Madrid suffered a 4-2 defeat in the final Champions League group stage game. The defeat not only cost them a place in the top eight but also significantly reduced Real Madrid’s Champions League earnings.

Fernando Morientes, who won three Champions Leagues with Los Blancos, was critical of Franco Mastantuono’s performance. He claimed the youngster did not make any impact against Jose Mourinho’s team.

“Mastantuono hasn’t shown up,” said Morientes (via Defensa Central).

“He hasn’t been precise or quick. He’s tried dribbling and lost possession. In this context, Madrid needs to improve.”

Arda Güler was furious with Álvaro Arbeloa after being subbed off against Benfica, despite being one of Real Madrid’s best players #UCL #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/20ShoH3gXq

— MARCA in English (@MARCAinENGLISH) January 28, 2026

Mastantuono played 56 minutes against Benfica before making way for Rodrygo. During his stint, Mastantuono completed 13 passes, pulled off just one of five dribbles, lost nine of 10 duels, and could neither create a chance nor register a shot.

Alvaro Arbeloa gave Mastantuono the nod ahead of Rodrygo on the back of the 18-year-old’s strong showings against Monaco and Villarreal.

After scoring against Monaco, Mastantuono hit back at critics who called him a ‘disaster’. His performance against Benfica could bring him back under the microscope.

Morientes Claims Madrid Lacked Intensity and Creativity Against Benfica

Morientes praised Benfica for maintaining their intensity throughout the match while Real Madrid collapsed. He also claimed that many Madrid players were neutralised due to a lack of space.

“I found it hard to believe that Benfica could maintain that intensity, and Madrid collapsed,” Morientes added.

“The context was different from the Monaco match, where there was space to run. The game was intense, with duels, a high tempo… Some players got lost in that back-and-forth.

“After going 1-0 up, Benfica equalised, and Real Madrid lacked ideas. Arbeloa emphasised giving the ball to Vinicius, and today that wasn’t the case.”

In the 96th minute, 3-2 up against Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho and his Benfica didn’t they needed to score again to make it into the knockout round of the Champions League.

They were wasting time. Mourinho had subbed off his front four. Then someone on the Benfica bench… pic.twitter.com/7qiZwnuuDA

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) January 29, 2026

Kylian Mbappe gave Real Madrid the lead in the 30th minute, but they were only in front for six minutes. Goals from Andreas Schjelderup (brace) and Vangelis Pavlidis put the hosts 3-1 up before Mbappe made it 3-2 in the 58th minute.

Despite having over 30 minutes to turn around, Los Merengues could not make their case. Ultimately, Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a thumping header from a set-piece to seal a famous victory for Benfica.