Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien was part of the Real Madrid squad that failed to adequately challenge Barcelona for the Spanish La Liga title at the end of the 2012/13 season. Despite going through the last 16 league games without a defeat under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid finished the season fifteen (15) points off Barcelona as the capital club failed to retain the league title won at the end of the 2011/12 Spanish La Ligaseason.
Real Madrid won the Spanish Super Cup title alone during the 2012/13 season despite a star-studded squad that had Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Kaka, Lula Modric, Sergio Ramos and many more. The capital club lost in the Champions League last four and the Copa Del Rey final.