“Mourinho may face absences of Real Madrid stars in pre-season.”

The first major headache for José Mourinho upon his return to Real Madrid arrived even before a single referee’s whistle: the stars of the squad — Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and Fede Valverde — may not be available for pre-season due to their participation in the World Cup. The Portuguese coach, known for his demanding nature and tactical rigor, now faces a monumental challenge in preparing the new season for the Merengues, with pre-season set to begin on July 13.

The Real Madrid, which is undergoing a reconstruction under Mourinho, faces an unusual situation: the key figures of the squad may still be competing in the final stages of the World Cup or, alternatively, enjoying a well-deserved holiday after the tournament. Kylian Mbappé, recently signed and seen as the new galáctico of the Santiago Bernabéu, Vinícius Júnior, the explosive Brazilian talent, Jude Bellingham, the English revelation, and Fede Valverde, the Uruguayan engine of the midfield, are all key players for their respective national teams and will likely not be ready in time for the start of training in Valdebebas.

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This absence of stars right from the start of pre-season threatens to compromise Mourinho’s meticulous planning, as he has always insisted on having a complete squad as early as possible to instill his ideas and ensure automatic plays. The Portuguese coach, accustomed to preparing his teams in detail, will now have to find solutions for a preparation where key players may arrive late, affecting the rhythm, the integration of new players, and the very cohesion of the group.

For Real Madrid, this situation is even more relevant considering the ambitious goals for the season: to reclaim La Liga, compete for the Champions League, and maintain dominance in Spain and Europe. With their main rivals strengthening and preparing without major absences, the Merengues risk a shaky start to the season if their stars are not in optimal physical and mental condition after the World Cup. This scenario may also affect the management of the locker room, with potential discomfort between players who arrive later and those who will already be working under Mourinho’s orders.

In recent statements, Mourinho did not hide his concerns: “Planning is always a challenge, but this year will be even more complicated. I want to have everyone available as soon as possible,” said the Portuguese coach, emphasizing the importance of working together from day one. “We know that some players may arrive later due to the World Cup, but we have to be ready to adapt and find solutions,” Mourinho added during the official presentation at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Kylian Mbappé, also aware of the situation, recently stated in an interview with the French press: “I am very excited about the new challenge at Real Madrid, but the focus now is on the World Cup. After that, I want to be ready to help the team.” Vinícius Júnior emphasized: “Real Madrid is always a priority, but this summer is special for all of us going to the World Cup.” These statements make it clear that there is commitment, but physical and emotional management will need to be careful.

With pre-season approaching and no guarantees of being able to count on the key figures, Mourinho will have to rely on homegrown talent, bring in young prospects, and test tactical alternatives in the early stages. The impact of these absences may be felt not only in preparation but also in the first official matches, where the lack of competitive rhythm from the internationals could be decisive. The Portuguese coach finds himself once again compelled to reinvent himself, trying to turn a problem into an opportunity and establish his mark on the new Real Madrid from the outset.

What follows is a race against time: Mourinho will have to manage expectations, avoid injuries, and quickly integrate the stars coming from the World Cup so that Real Madrid does not lose ground in the fight for titles. The challenge is set, and all eyes are on Valdebebas to see how the “Special One” will once again transform adversity into motivation and success.

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