Real Madrid News
Jose Mourinho has already picked his new Real Madrid dressing room leader and it is not Vinicius or Mbappe
Real Madrid could be heading towards a major change in dressing-room hierarchy once Jose Mourinho officially returns to the Santiago Bernabéu.
According to SPORT, the Portuguese manager has already identified the player he wants to become the true leader of the squad next season – and surprisingly, it is neither Vinicius Jr. nor Kylian Mbappe.
Instead, Mourinho sees Thibaut Courtois as the ideal figure to lead Real Madrid both on and off the pitch during the next phase of the project.
Mourinho has started working
The report states that Mourinho is already actively involved in planning the structure of next season’s squad despite his appointment not yet being officially announced.
While the club still waits for final clarity regarding internal political matters and the possible candidacy of Enrique Riquelme, the incoming manager is said to be wasting no time preparing for his return.
One of his first objectives appears to be restoring clear authority and balance inside the dressing room.
Recent months have exposed tensions surrounding leadership dynamics within the squad, particularly because of the growing superstar status of players like Mbappe and Vinicius.
Mourinho is fully aware of the strong personalities inside the Real Madrid dressing room and wants a calmer, more experienced figure to become the reference point of the team.
That player, according to the report, is Courtois.
A definitive choice
The Belgian goalkeeper is viewed as one of the most respected voices in the squad thanks to his experience, personality, and influence.
In fact, Mourinho has already contacted the goalkeeper directly to discuss his current situation at the club as well as the changes expected in the coming weeks.
At the same time, the Portuguese manager is also believed to have started working on potential transfers.
As reported before, he has already instructed Real Madrid to look for a new right-back and at least two centre-backs as part of his defensive rebuild plans.
From a sporting perspective, Mourinho’s decision to choose Courtois says a lot because throughout his managerial career, he has always relied heavily on strong dressing-room figures.
Sure, attacking superstars often dominate headlines, but the Portuguese coach usually prefers more authoritative personalities to control the emotional balance inside the squad, which is where Courtois fits in perfectly.
In what will come as a pleasing development for fans, Fabrizio Romano reports that Real Madrid forward Rodrygo could make a comeback from his injury earlier than expected.
The 25-year-old Brazilian international has been out of action since March after suffering an ACL injury during a La Liga game against Getafe.
Due to the complete rupture of the ACL, coupled with associated meniscus damage, it was suggested that the attacker was staring at a lengthy time out on the sidelines and might not return until 2027.
In fact, the forward’s father, Eric Goes, recently stated in an interview that the Real Madrid ace could be back in February next year, just before the business end of the campaign.
Rodrygo could be back in December
However, as per the update from Romano, Rodrygo’s comeback could happen well before that expected date.
Indeed, if things continue to progress at the current rate, the 25-year-old attacker might return to action in December or by January 2027 at the latest.
This will come as a welcome boost for Jose Mourinho & co., considering that Rodrygo is a valuable player for the team.
Even though he had endured a tough spell prior to his form, the Brazilian’s versatility, work rate off the ball, and eye for a goal make him an asset.
Rodrygo eager to be back at his best
The update from Romano further states that Rodrygo feels very grateful to Real Madrid for all the help and support they have given him during this difficult phase of his career.
As such, the Brazilian international has made it a mission to return to action in the best shape possible and make an impact from the get-go.
The attacker has only recently begun working on the pitch with the ball indicating the significant progress he has made on the road to recovery.
And, if there are no setbacks, Real Madrid could recover one of their ace attackers before the end of the current year.
So far in his career, Rodrygo has made 297 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 71 goals. He has a contract with the club until 2028.
