José Mourinho Returns to Real Madrid: Preseason Starts Amidst World Cup Absences

The Portuguese manager starts his tenure with morning medical examinations and an afternoon training session, aiming to restore the club’s trophy-winning form after two seasons without titles.

The First Eight Players Reporting for Duty

Due to the ongoing World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Mourinho is working with a skeleton crew for the opening phase of preseason.

• Andriy Lunin
• Trent Alexander-Arnold
• Álvaro Carreras
• Dean Huijsen
• Asencio Eduardo Camavinga
• Gonzalo García
• Franco Mastantuono

This initial group allows Mourinho to begin implementing his tactical ideas while the majority of the first-team squad remains unavailable. For global fans, this represents the first time Mourinho has stepped back into the Madrid dugout since his previous tenure ended in 2013.

World Cup Absences and Vacation Schedules

The availability of the squad is heavily dictated by the international calendar. Several key players are still competing in the World Cup semifinals and cannot report to the club. These include Jude Bellingham (England), Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Ibrahima Konaté (France), as well as Marc Cucurella (Spain).

Beyond those still in competition, a significant group of players who have already finished their World Cup duties are currently on scheduled vacation. Vinícius Júnior, Fede Valverde, Arda Güler, Thibaut Courtois, Antonio Rüdiger, and Brahim Díaz are expected to join the squad at a later date.

New arrivals are also facing delayed starts. Recent signings Denzel Dumfries and Bernardo Silva are not among the players reporting this Monday and will join the group following their designated break.

Injury Report and Roster Constraints

Physical setbacks further limit Mourinho’s options during these first few days of preparation. Éder Militao, Rodrygo Goes, and Ferland Mendy are currently dealing with injuries and cannot participate in normal training activities.

Mourinho’s return comes thirteen years after his first chapter at the club (2010–2013).

Confirmed Preseason Match Schedule

Real Madrid has finalized the first two friendly fixtures to test the squad before official competition begins.

The match against Deportivo de La Coruña marks the 71st edition of the Trofeo Teresa Herrera, a traditional fixture that will serve as the final tuning phase for the squad.

The next major checkpoint for the club will be the gradual integration of World Cup semifinalists and vacationing stars into the training camp ahead of the August 1 trip to Austria. Share your thoughts on Mourinho’s return in the comments below.