Even for the most decorated club in football history, the path to silverware is occasionally blocked by a painful defeat.
While fans usually associate the Santiago Bernabéu with endless trophies, the domestic Super Cup has provided some challenging hurdles over the decades. Understanding the record of Real Madrid in this competition requires looking at both their victories and their rare stumbles.
These losses often serve as the fuel for the club’s next great era of dominance. It is this balance of triumph and heartbreak that keeps the supporters coming back every single season.
Analyzing the Final Record of Real Madrid
In the history of the Spanish Super Cup, Real Madrid has experienced the sting of defeat in the final round on 6 different occasions. While they have won the trophy 13 times, these six silver medals tell a story of fierce rivalries and tactical battles. Most of these losses occurred during the traditional two-legged format, where away goals often played a decisive role. Despite these setbacks, the club maintains one of the highest win percentages in the history of the tournament.
- Total Final Losses: 6
- Most Frequent Opponent in Losses: Barcelona
- Recent Runner-up Finish: 2023 and 2025
Major Rivals That Toppled Real Madrid
The majority of the times Real Madrid fell at the final hurdle, they were facing top-tier opposition like Barcelona or Atlético Madrid. One of the most notable defeats came in 2014, when a gritty Atlético side managed to stifle the white attack over two legs. More recently, the 2023 edition saw a young Barcelona side edge out a victory in Riyadh. These matches are usually high-intensity affairs where the smallest mistake determines the eventual champion.
Staying Competitive in the New Era
Since the competition shifted to a four-team “Final Four” format in 2020, Real Madrid has remained remarkably consistent.
Even when the squad faces injuries or a crowded schedule, they almost always find a way to reach the championship match.
Losing a final is rare for this team, but it often precedes a massive run in the Champions League or La Liga.
This resilience is why the football world respects the grit shown by the players in every domestic showdown.
Which of the few final losses do you think was the most surprising in the history of the club?
