Mourinho Returns to Real Madrid: Squad Faces Early Injury Crisis

A new Real Madrid season. A familiar name back on the bench. And already, a squad list that tells its own story.

José Mourinho’s second spell in charge of Los Blancos begins this weekend with a La Liga opener away to RCD Espanyol, and the travelling group announced on Friday underlines both the scale of the club’s injury problems and the opportunity now handed to its academy.

Mourinho’s Madrid hit early injury storm

The build-up to Mourinho’s return to competitive action has been bruising. Key figures Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Raúl Asencio are all sidelined with long-term issues, stripping Real Madrid of proven quality at both ends of the pitch before a ball has been kicked in the 2026/27 campaign.

The setbacks did not stop there. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Endrick, two of the most intriguing pieces in Madrid’s medium-term puzzle, have also been left out of the travelling party for the trip to the RCDE Stadium. Both have recently struggled with fitness complaints, and the club has chosen not to gamble on them in the opening fixture.

No half-measures. No risks. Not on day one.

Door opens for academy hopefuls

Those absences create gaps, and Mourinho has turned to La Fábrica to help fill them. Three academy talents – Mario Rivas, Jorge Cestero and Alexis Ciria – have all been called up for the Espanyol clash, a clear signal that the new regime is willing to lean on youth when required.

For the youngsters, it is a sudden jump into the glare of the first team at one of the most scrutinised clubs in world football. For Mourinho, it is an early test of his ability to blend Madrid’s established core with emerging prospects while navigating a demanding league campaign.

The names missing from the list will dominate the headlines. The ones added from the academy may end up defining how this new era truly begins.