The 2021–22 Real Madrid Club de Fútbol season was the 118th season in existence and the club's 91st consecutive season in the top flight of Spanish football. In addition to the domestic league, Real Madrid participated in this season's editions of the Copa del Rey, the Supercopa de España, and the UEFA Champions League.
This season saw Carlo Ancelotti return to the club, having led it to La Décima in his first spell. On the domestic front, he delivered two trophies out of possible three, winning La Liga and the Supercopa de España. With that, Ancelotti became the first manager in Real Madrid history to have won all of the six available top-tier major trophies. In the Champions League, Madrid produced one of the most memorable runs of all time, defeating pre-tournament favorites Paris Saint-Germain, defending champions and favorites Chelsea, Premier League champions and heavy favorites Manchester City, all in dramatic fashion, and setting up the final against Liverpool, who were once again widely considered as favorites, in a rematch of their 2018 encounter. A lone Vinícius goal in the second half sealed the 14th European Cup for Los Blancos, their fifth in nine years. This was also Carlo Ancelotti's fourth Champions League title as coach, making him the most successful manager in the competition's history. Real also claimed their fourth ever European double (after 1956–57, 1957–58, and 2016–17).
This season was the first since 2004–05 without former captain Sergio Ramos, who departed for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer and first since 2010–11 without the Frenchman Raphaël Varane, with the two having been Madrid's first choice center-back pairing for years, leaving in the same transfer window.
Summary
Pre-season
On 27 May, after the conclusion of the 2020–21 season, Zinedine Zidane announced that he would leave Real Madrid. The next day, Real Madrid announced the signing of David Alaba on a free transfer from Bayern Munich. Alaba signed on a five-year contract. Carlo Ancelotti returned as the head coach on 1 June, having already led Madrid in 2013–15. On 16 June, the club announced that Sergio Ramos would leave after 16 years of service.
August
The first match of the season was won 4–1 against Alavés on 14 August. Karim Benzema scored a brace, with the other goals coming from Nacho and Vinícius Júnior. Raphaël Varane left Madrid on the same day, to join Manchester United. On 20 August, Martin Ødegaard left the club to join Arsenal. Two goals from Vinícius and a goal from Gareth Bale saved Madrid a point in a 3–3 draw with Levante on 22 August. Six days later, a goal from Dani Carvajal secured three points for Madrid in a 1–0 win over Real Betis. On 31 August, Eduardo Camavinga joined the club on a transfer from Rennes.
September
A hat-trick from Benzema, a strike from Vinícius and a debut goal from Camavinga gave Madrid a 5–2 win over Celta Vigo on 12 September, their first game at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in 560 days following extensive renovations. Three days later, a late goal from Rodrygo got Madrid off to a winning start in the UEFA Champions League, with a 1–0 win over Inter Milan. On 19 September, two late goals from Benzema and Vinícius gave Madrid a 2–1 win over Valencia. Three days later, Mallorca was defeated 6–1, with a hat-trick from Marco Asensio, a brace from Benzema, and a goal from Isco. A home match against Villarreal on 25 September ended in a 0–0 draw, which was Madrid's first official game of the season without scoring a goal. On 28 September, Madrid suffered a 1–2 upset home loss to Sheriff Tiraspol in the Champions League, where Benzema converted a penalty to score the momentary equalizer.
October
The next game on 3 October ended in another loss, a 1–2 defeat to Espanyol in which Benzema scored the lone goal for Madrid. On 19 October, Madrid defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 5–0 away from home on Matchday 3 of the Champions League. Vinícius scored a brace and the other goals came from Benzema and Rodrygo, alongside an own goal. Five days later, the first El Clásico of the season against Barcelona at Camp Nou was won 2–1 after goals from David Alaba, a debut one for the Austrian, and Lucas Vázquez. The home game against Osasuna on 27 October ended in a goalless draw. Elche were defeated three days later on the road with a score of 2–1 thanks to a Vinícius brace.