Kylian Mbappé returned to Real Madrid training at Valdebebas under manager José Mourinho, kicking off his third season with the club by scoring a bicycle kick in his opening session. The forward enters the new campaign carrying the weight of expectations after finishing the 2026 World Cup as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals for France.
A Bicycle Kick to Open the Campaign
Mbappé wasted little time setting a high standard on his return to club facilities, converting an acrobatic bicycle kick during his first day back on the training pitch. The moment was shared widely across digital platforms, signaling his intent ahead of the upcoming domestic and European fixtures. Last season, the French international led the squad by netting 43 goals across all competitions. Under Mourinho, the technical staff’s project relies heavily on maintaining that scoring rate while ensuring those strikes prove decisive in high-stakes matches.
New Faces Join the Squad in Valdebebas
Monday’s training session also marked the first appearance for recent arrivals Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konaté. Cucurella joins Real Madrid following a successful World Cup campaign with the Spanish national team, stepping straight into the club’s defensive options. Konaté, an international defender for France, completed his initial workout with his new teammates after finalizing his transfer. Meanwhile, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni returned to the club’s setup, though he completed his individual program inside the facilities as a precautionary measure. Manager José Mourinho continues to assemble his roster for the pre-season schedule, though players such as Jude Bellingham remain on extended holiday following international duty.
Medical Assessments and Injury Recovery Updates
The afternoon at Valdebebas involved the initial phase of medical examinations for the newly signed players, with remaining evaluations scheduled at the Hospital Blua Sanitas Valdebebas. On the pitch, Yan Diomandé and Thibaut Courtois integrated back into group workouts after previously following individual rehabilitation routines. However, four squad members remain sidelined from collective training. Raúl Asencio, Ferland Mendy, Éder Militão, and Rodrygo Goes continue their respective recovery programs under medical supervision and currently lack a confirmed return date.
Pre-Season Roadmap Ahead of LaLiga Kickoff
Real Madrid’s preparation schedule is set as the club builds toward the official start of domestic competition. The squad will travel to contest the Trofeo Teresa Herrera against Deportivo de la Coruña on August 12, followed by a friendly fixture against German side Schalke 04 on August 16. Because Real Madrid receives a bye during the opening weekend of LaLiga, their official league debut takes place on August 22 at the RCDE Stadium against Espanyol. The team will then play its first home match of the regular season on August 26 against Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Worth a look
