Real Madrid's Diomande Left Behind for Budapest Trip
Yan Diomande will have to wait for his first taste of Real Madrid. José Mourinho has named his squad for Saturday’s pre-season clash with Ferencváros in Budapest, and the club’s new record signing is not on the plane.
The Ivorian winger, officially announced less than 24 hours ago, stayed behind in Madrid to complete the final administrative steps of his move. According to Spanish outlet Marca, Diomande skipped the team’s last training session before departure to wrap up paperwork, costing him a first call-up and delaying his debut.
Mourinho, who has never been shy about throwing new arrivals straight into the fray, has gone the other way this time. Carlos Espí joined the group immediately after his arrival last week and travelled without hesitation. Diomande, the most expensive signing of the summer, gets caution instead of acceleration. More time to work. More time to adapt. No risks.
The squad left for the Hungarian capital at 4pm, heading to the Groupama Arena for their second outing of pre-season. The match may not carry points, but it carries plenty of intrigue.
Vinícius back after contract renewal
At the heart of it all sits Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian is in the squad and expected to feature for the first time since signing his contract extension through to 2032, a deal that underlines his status as the club’s flagship forward for the next decade.
He is not travelling alone. Bernardo Silva and Brahim Díaz, who also linked up with the team this week, are both included and could enjoy their first minutes of the summer. For Mourinho, it offers a first real glimpse of an attacking structure that will soon have to find room for Diomande as well.
Defensive boost, with one caveat
At the back, there is a significant boost. Dean Huijsen returns after a muscle injury, now back in full training and ready to rejoin the rotation. His inclusion eases the strain on a back line still waiting for Antonio Rüdiger to hit top condition.
Rüdiger travels, listed among the defenders, but the sense remains that he is still playing catch-up physically. Huijsen’s presence gives Mourinho another option as he starts to sketch out his defensive hierarchy for the new season.
The travelling party
Real Madrid’s squad for the Ferencváros match:
- Goalkeepers: Andriy Lunin, Mestre, Navarro.
- Defenders: Dean Huijsen, Juan Martínez, Antonio Rüdiger, Lamine Fati, Mario Rivas, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Denzel Dumfries, Álvaro Carreras.
- Midfielders: Arda Güler, Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, Sистero, Lacosta, Cirilla.
- Forwards: Brahim Díaz, Vinícius Júnior, Yáñez, Endrick, Carlos Espí.
No Diomande, then. No grand unveiling in Budapest. His debut will have to wait for another stage, another night – and perhaps, in Mourinho’s mind, a moment when Real Madrid already looks a little more like his team.
