Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder steps up preparation for pre-season amid uncertain future
Eduardo Camavinga has already begun his preparations for the new season despite ongoing speculation linking him with a move away from Real Madrid.
The 23-year-old midfielder has been mentioned as one of the players who could leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, with several clubs monitoring his situation after the club made him available on the transfer market.
Already back to work
With Real Madrid’s first-team players due to return to training on 13 July, Camavinga has started his preparations ahead of schedule.
Indeed, the midfielder, who was not called up by France for the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, has been working both in the gym and on the training pitch as he aims to report back in peak physical condition.
Camavinga took to social media to share pictures of his intense training leading up to pre-season.
A number of Camavinga’s teammates, including Kylian Mbappe, commented on the post which showed the midfielder in great shape ahead of pre-season.
The 23-year-old star’s objective is clear: arrive fully prepared, impress Mourinho from the opening days of pre-season and prove that he should remain part of Real Madrid’s plans for the upcoming campaign.
Determined to stay
After enduring a difficult 2025/26 season, during which he failed to establish himself in the team under both Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Camavinga’s future.
In fact, reports earlier in the week suggested that Los Blancos are actively looking to part ways with the 23-year-old and had offered him to Premier League giants Manchester City.
Despite the growing rumours around his future, Camavinga has no intention of leaving Real Madrid this summer.
The French international remains fully committed to Real Madrid, where he is under contract until 2029, and is determined to fight for his place in the squad under new manager Jose Mourinho.
Aware that competition for places will be fierce, Camavinga wants to use pre-season to convince the new head coachthat he deserves an important role in the team.
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.
