Real Madrid News
Barcelona legend Puyol wary of Mourinho’s Real Madrid: ‘With him, they can be even stronger’
Former Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has conceded that the return of Jose Mourinho to the Santiago Bernabeu could make Real Madrid a significantly more formidable opponent this season.
However, the legendary defender remained steadfast in his belief that the reigning La Liga champions, bolstered by the high-profile arrival of Rodri, are hungry to secure yet another league title.
Speaking on Tuesday during a video conference with international media outlets, organized by ESPN to promote their La Liga coverage in the US, Puyol offered a candid assessment of the power dynamics in Spanish football.
The conversation comes at a pivotal moment, with the 2026/27 season looming and the historic rivalry between the two giants set to reignite under familiar yet evolved circumstances.
Puyol on Mourinho return
Puyol, who anchored the Barcelona defence during the height of the Guardiola-Mourinho era, acknowledged the tactical steel the Portuguese manager brings back to the capital.
“With Mourinho, they can be even stronger,” Puyol admitted, as quoted by AS, referencing Real Madrid’s potential resurgence.
Reflecting on his personal history with the ‘Special One’, Puyol traced their relationship back to Mourinho’s stint as a translator and assistant at Barcelona during the late 90s.
“We’re talking about a great coach,” Puyol said. “I met him at Barcelona when I was in the youth academy and I moved up to the first team.
“We could already see that he knew a lot about football. Then he built a great career and went on to join Real Madrid. We were at a very strong point in our careers; I remember a great rivalry.”
That rivalry, defined by the fierce Clasicos of 2010-2013, remains a benchmark for intensity in world football.
“In those years, aside from Guardiola and Mourinho, and Messi and Cristiano, they were two great teams,” he observed. “We’ll see how they do.”
Confidence in Barcelona
Despite his praise for Real Madrid’s managerial appointment, Puyol’s confidence in his former club remains unshaken.
He singled out the addition of Rodri, the Manchester City midfielder who recently completed his blockbuster move to Catalonia, after snubbing real Madrid, as the engine that will drive Barcelona’s competitive edge.
“I still think Barcelona has a very good team and will be able to have a good season,” Puyol asserted, highlighting the squad’s motivation to go for another league title.
As the new campaign approaches, Puyol’s comments set the stage for a fascinating battle: the disciplined strength of Mourinho’s Real Madrid against Hansi Flick’s champions energized by their new midfield general.
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
