Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni has revealed the intense personal struggles he faced during a turbulent period at the Santiago Bernabéu, admitting he felt made a "scapegoat" for the team's issues. Now regarded as one of Los Blancos' most consistent performers, his journey highlights the immense pressure of playing for the world's biggest club.

Following the departure of legendary midfielder Toni Kroos, Tchouaméni was expected to help fill the void. However, a season plagued by injuries forced him into an unfamiliar center-back role, where his performances drew fierce criticism. The situation reached a boiling point where sections of the Bernabéu crowd whistled him with every touch.

Reflecting on that difficult chapter on the Pivot Podcast, Tchouaméni stated, "I was made a scapegoat. In the first 10-20 minutes, the stadium was booing every time I touched the ball." He described the experience as a pivotal mental test, saying it forced him to focus solely on what he could control: his own performance and resilience.

That adversity, he claims, forged a stronger mindset. "A year or two ago, I was a bad player, I was booed in the stadium... it definitely helped me mentally," Tchouaméni explained. He now views the relentless scrutiny as part of the privilege of wearing the famous white shirt, learning to block out the noise and embrace the challenge.

The French international also addressed the dark side of the sport, commenting on the racist abuse directed at teammate Vinicius Junior. Tchouaméni made it clear that the squad is united, stating the team would be prepared to walk off the pitch if such vile incidents were to occur again, underlining the importance of solidarity over everything.