Real Madrid News
Boost for Mourinho as two more Real Madrid stars join pre-season training
Real Madrid received another boost on Tuesday as Endrick and Antonio Rudiger returned to training under Jose Mourinho following their involvement at the FIFA World Cup.
The Brazilian and German internationals are the latest players to rejoin the squad after the club’s second pre-season friendly, a convincing 4-1 victory over Leganes.
They join Arda Guler, Federico Valverde and new signing Denzel Dumfries, who had already resumed training.
Both Endrick and Rudiger underwent the customary medical examinations before joining Mourinho’s training sessions.
👍 ¡Mirad quiénes están de vuelta! 👍
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) July 29, 2026
✅ Reconocimiento médico
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More competition for Rudiger
Rudiger finished the World Cup as an important player for Germany after Nico Schlotterbeck’s injury opened the door for him to become a regular starter.
The knee issues that affected him previously have now been resolved following specialist treatment in London, and he is expected to play a key role in Mourinho’s plans this season.
Although Konate has been signed with the intention of becoming a first-choice defender, Rudiger is expected to compete for the other starting centre-back position alongside Dean Huijsen.
Endrick returns determined to impress
Endrick’s situation also appears to have become clearer. The Brazilian spent the second half of last season on loan at Olympique Lyon after then-manager Xabi Alonso preferred Gonzalo Garcia ahead of him, prompting the temporary move.
The loan move proved beneficial for the young forward. His performances in France earned him a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the World Cup.
Gonzalo is now tipped to join Fulham, which could improve Endrick’s chances of securing a place in Mourinho’s squad.
Gradual return to match fitness
Mourinho is expected to ease both players back into action, and as such, it could be too early for either to travel to Austria for Real Madrid’s upcoming friendly against Fiorentina.
Instead, the duo could be expected to be available for the match against Ferencvaros in Hungary on 8 August.
Meanwhile, the next group of returning internationals is expected to include Vinicius Jr., Brahim Diaz, Thibaut Courtois and Bernardo Silva.
Those who reached the latter stages of the World Cup, Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Kylian Mbappe, Konate and Marc Cucurella, are scheduled to return during the second week of August.
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
Hala_Madrid
July 29, 2026 at 10:51 am
I don’t get it, where is Vinicius? If Endrick is back and he was also with Vinicius at the World Cup, why isn’t Vinicius back in training? Those are the preferential treatments that gets in certain player’s heads that make them believe they are bigger than what they really are. Instead of acting as a celebrity, Vinicius should be in training like all the other players who are already in camp to learn the new tactics and to improve his game.