Real Madrid's New Season Under Mourinho: Injury Challenges and Academy Opportunities

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 officially begins this weekend with an opening-day trip to RCD Espanyol, and on Friday the club confirmed the travelling party for the 2026/27 La Liga curtain-raiser.

The headline? Madrid’s new era starts under a cloud of fitness problems.

Mourinho’s first squad hit by injuries

Several key figures are nowhere near the plane to the RCDE Stadium. Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Raúl Asencio have all been ruled out long-term, stripping Mourinho of experience and star power at both ends of the pitch before a ball has been kicked in anger.

The problems don’t stop there. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Endrick have also been left out of the squad, with recent fitness issues convincing the coaching staff not to take any risks for Saturday’s clash. For a coach who thrives on control and structure, losing a midfield anchor and a headline attacking talent before matchday one is a sharp early test.

Door opens for academy hopefuls

Injuries, though, create opportunity. With senior options thinned, Madrid have turned to La Fábrica.

Academy prospects Mario Rivas, Jorge Cestero and Alexis Ciria have all been called into the travelling group, handed the chance to experience Mourinho’s matchday environment at first hand. Whether they feature or not, their inclusion underlines how stretched the squad is – and how quickly the new boss is willing to dip into the youth ranks.

It is a squad list shaped by necessity, framed by absences, but sprinkled with the intrigue of fresh faces. Mourinho’s Real Madrid project starts in Catalonia with big names missing, young hopefuls promoted, and little margin for early missteps.