Tchouaméni’s elite mentality: How Real Madrid star bounced back from Bernabéu boos

Aurélien Tchouaméni has become a key figure at the base of the Real Madrid midfield, but it wasn’t so long ago that the Frenchman was coming under serious fire from his own supporters.

Why Real Madrid fans whistled Tchouaméni

Following the 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Barcelona in the final of the 2025 Spanish Super Cup, Tchouaméni was whistled by a significant number of Madrid fans at the Bernabéu before and during the Copa del Rey game against Celta Vigo the following midweek.

Due to a raft of injuries, the former Monaco star had been pushed back into an unusual position in central defence by then coach Carlo Ancelotti, which certainly didn’t bring out the best in him. Being moved back and forth between defence and midfield also had a negative impact on him, even when he did line up in his usual role in the middle of the field.

Madrid star discusses incredible mental strength

Tchouaméni admitted as much in his recent appearance on the Pivot Podcast, in which he explains how he reacted to, and overcame, a challenging period of his career which would undoubtedly have broken weaker individuals.

The Madrid star offers incredible insight into what it takes mentally to compete at an elite level of football, which many would argue is more important than technical ability and physical attributes.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.