Arbeloa's substitution error and Hector Bellerin's late goal extinguished Real's final La Liga hopes this season. This marks another "disastrous year" for the club.

I was in Villa del Rio, Cordoba, witnessing the latest chapter of the ongoing nightmare known as "Arbeloa's Real." There, 120 fan club members and I were glued to the television screen, clutching onto a fleeting hope that mirrored Real's current faded and outdated form. This team couldn't even defeat the weakest Betis side under Manuel Pellegrini, transforming the "legendary 93rd minute"—once a source of pride for "Los Blancos"—into a new laughingstock. Real now resembles a traveling circus.

Vinicius faces Antony during Real's 1-1 draw with Betis at La Cartuja stadium, Sevilla on 24/4. *AFP*

Even Vinicius's goal offered no sustained hope for this crumbling, directionless project, plagued by continuous errors and a lack of self-respect. The championship now seems destined for Barca. Bellerin's late goal perfectly encapsulated the prolonged weakness of a squad retreating in shame.

I sensed trouble the moment Arbeloa brought Eduardo Camavinga and David Alaba onto the La Cartuja pitch. The young Frenchman seemed like Kryptonite, draining Superman's strength, while the Austrian defender appeared to be penning the final lines of his Real career. Yet, on the bench, sidelined and overlooked, sat two proud homegrown talents: Dani Carvajal and Raul Asencio.

Arbeloa, a model academy player, should explain his apparent grudge against Carvajal, the club captain with six Champions League titles, and Asencio, a young man who sacrificed his health when the team needed him. Now, they watch an Austrian player with a shattered knee, on the verge of retirement, occupy a starting spot. The worst part is that Real is losing its identity due to a lack of iconic figures, and the price is a tragic and frustrating outcome against Betis.

Real players' reaction after Betis's 1-1 equalizer. *AS*

On dark nights like this, I recall the spirit of the eternal captain, Raul Gonzalez, who wore the number 7. On 25/4/2010, he scored against Zaragoza at La Romareda despite a severe injury that would sideline him for four months before his move to Germany. That was a heroic goal, brimming with Real pride. I no longer see that spirit in the current squad; they are soulless and emotionless.

That memory resurfaced when I saw Kylian Mbappe leave the field in the 80th minute, which I presumed was due to a serious injury. However, I am certain we will see him fully fit for the upcoming summer World Cup, playing for France. In my era, Real players would fight until they were broken to pieces before accepting to leave a match.

Looking back, 25/4 has always marked historical moments for Real fans. On this day in 1985, a great European comeback was forged against Inter Milan, who had defeated us 2-0 in the first leg at San Siro. I recall that night at the Bernabeu; my friends, my father, and I went wild with joy from the highest stands, watching two magnificent goals from Santillana and one from Michel send Inter home.

The darker side of 25/4 emerged three years later, in 1988. Although Beenhakker's Real routed Betis with a tennis-like score to secure their third consecutive La Liga title, the Bernabeu that night felt cold and somber. This was because we had just suffered a bitter elimination in the European Cup semi-finals against PSV Eindhoven. That emotional pain closely mirrors what recently unfolded at La Cartuja against Betis.

Despite the latest stumble, loyal Real fans in Villa del Rio embraced me, singing the traditional anthem until their voices were hoarse. They are the true embodiment of feeling the club's logo with their entire hearts.

Hoang Thong (from AS)