Why the word 'remontada' trended after Real Madrid crashed out of the UCL

The Spanish word ‘remontada’, meaning a comeback or turning things around under difficult circumstances, dominated social media conversations after Arsenal eliminated Real Madrid from the Champions League with a 5-1 aggregate score.

Prior to the first leg, where Arsenal led 3-0, Real Madrid players and supporters boasted that they were confident of overturning the deficit to advance to the next stage, citing their history in the competition.

However, this ambition was derailed after Madrid lost the second leg to Arsenal 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on April 16, 2025, failing to impress as expected.

Bukayo Saka and Martinelli's goals were enough to secure the Gunners' victory in Spain, with Vinicius Junior scoring a consolation goal.

Football fans took to social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to ridicule Real Madrid for their boasts and subsequent failure.

Some criticised the team for arrogance, undermining Arsenal's performance and chances of surviving at the Bernabéu to secure qualification.

Others expressed disappointment and mocked key Madrid players like Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappé for their poor performance despite championing the ‘remontada’ agenda.

Following Madrid's elimination from the Champions League, they will now focus on the Spanish La Liga and the Copa del Rey, where they will face Barcelona in the final on April 26, 2025.

Read some of the reactions below:

Myles Lewis-Skelly on why Bellingham refused to shake his hands:

“I asked him where remontada was”

No be cho cho cho #UCL pic.twitter.com/0WnBZMy7t4
— #BetwayPrem (@A44Sports) April 16, 2025

NO REAL MADRID HATER WILL PASS WITHOUT INTERACTING. THEIR PLAYERS AND FANS THOUGHT THEY COULD DO A “REMONTADA” 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/dIfoZDlUfS
— 17 (fan) (@DxBruyne17) April 16, 2025

Real Madrid fans:
Remontada
Remontada
Remontada
Remontada
Remondata

Saka, Martinelli and Merino: pic.twitter.com/XP3DqVJOlL
— ⚡️ (@clinicalkai) April 16, 2025

I never have to hear the word “remontada” ever again pic.twitter.com/JVvMkpNmCg
— ⚡️ (@clinicalkai) April 16, 2025

Put the Remontada in the bag bro pic.twitter.com/sMfD74vbPE
— MB🇩🇿🇵🇸 (@ClockEndd6) April 16, 2025

“Rice cooks better with the lid on” 😂. Remontada ko, Ramota ni? 😂. Come on you gunners 🫶🏾. Local Man is still outside ✌🏾.
•#arsenal #realmadrid #saka #ucl #championsleague #RMAARS pic.twitter.com/PePtWgGWLc
— Dr. Kelechi Anyikude (@KelechiAFC) April 16, 2025

Santiago Bernabeau my foot. So what? No be only Remontada. UP GUNNERS in advance. 🔴 ⚪️ #coyg pic.twitter.com/WYdSuDAHBC
— Lekan Olaleye (@lekankingkong) April 16, 2025

roof closed
50 hours of remontada tiktok videos
7 sacrificed lambs
3 rodrygo posts
1 vape smoked

just to play worse than martinelli
— 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐚 (@unfunnyjulia) April 16, 2025