10 August 2026
Coach José Mourinho has begun to outline the features of the new Real Madrid squad, revealing his desire to rely on a small squad of only about 20 players, despite the abundance of options within the team.
The Portuguese coach's statements came after Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Hungarian side Ferencváros, in the team's second tough test during the preseason.
The newspaper "Marca" highlighted the situation of Real Madrid's squad, especially after the Rodri deal fell through, given the large number of players capable of playing in more than one position, making the competition among the players fierce.
In defense, the arrival of Konaté has increased the pressure on Asensio, while the midfield includes Tchouaméni, Valverde, Bernardo Silva, Camavinga, and Thiago Petrács.
In midfield, the competition appears even fiercer, with Tchouaméni, Valverde, Bernardo Silva, Camavinga, and Thiago Petrács all vying for a starting spot, as there isn't enough room for everyone in the starting lineup.
In attack, the options are plentiful with Vinicius, Rodrygo, Brahim Diaz, Diomande, and Indric. In the playmaker role, Bellingham and Arda Güler stand out, while Kylian Mbappé remains Mourinho's most important attacking option, alongside other choices that can provide the coach with different solutions.
However, Mourinho's desire to reduce the squad means that some prominent names may have to leave or settle for a secondary role, especially given the impossibility of giving everyone sufficient playing time.
Injuries remain a factor that could alter the coach's plans, as Real Madrid has already suffered several absences during preseason, including Hoesen, Asensio, and Thiago, in addition to Militao, Mendy, and Rodrygo.
But at the same time, Mourinho is aware that reducing the squad carries significant risk.
The season is long, and Real Madrid is competing on several fronts, while recent years have shown that injuries can strike at any moment, potentially turning a 20-man squad into a real problem if the number of absentees increases.
