Real Madrid News
Real Madrid president convinced star attacking quartet will start more games together soon – report
According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is convinced that Jose Mourinho could soon field his four main attacking stars together: Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham and Uan Diomande.
Mourinho has not regularly started all four at the same time since taking charge, but recent conversations between the Real Madrid president and head coach have indicated that the Portuguese is increasingly open to the possibility.
As such, Perez believes that the attacking quartet will soon start playing together more regularly and that they will lead the club to trophies and titles.
Tchouameni’s return could unlock the attacking quartet
The return of Aurelien Tchouameni could be particularly important if Mourinho decides to use all four attacking players together.
Tchouameni and Federico Valverde could provide the defensive base needed to give the forwards greater freedom, although that would raise another question over the role of Arda Guler.
Mourinho nevertheless believes there will continue to be opportunities for the Turkish midfielder, whether from the start or as an impact substitute.
Diomande pushing for a starting place
Diomande’s development is also making the selection decision more complicated.
Mourinho is aware that a player who cost €140 million is difficult to leave on the bench, particularly when he is beginning to make an increasing impact on the pitch.
Some observers now believe Diomande is even putting pressure on Vinicius for a starting position.
According to the report, Mourinho has told Perez that Diomande is in excellent physical condition, training increasingly well, learning quickly and eager to contribute to the team.
The coach values the work the Ivorian has been putting in and expects his number of starts to increase.
While Mbappe, Bellingham and Vinicius remain central figures in Mourinho’s plans, Diomande could increasingly take minutes away from players such as Guler and Bernardo Silva.
Mourinho continues to shape his Real Madrid project
With most of the injured players now beginning to return, apart from those facing longer-term absences, Mourinho has more options available as he continues to refine his Real Madrid team.
Perez is confident that the Portuguese coach can make full use of a squad assembled with major ambitions.
There has been considerable discussion about Real Madrid’s midfield options, but the club continues to trust the players already in the squad.
The expectation within the report is that Mourinho will look to combine the attacking quality available to him with greater defensive solidity, with the potential return of Tchouameni providing another option for balancing an ambitious attacking setup.
Real Madrid’s recent win over Villarreal certainly had its tense and controversial moments, most of them involving Vinicius Jr.
But the biggest silver lining for Los Blancos was Yan Diomande scoring his first goal for the club following his €140 million move from RB Leipzig.
Diomande’s slow start had made him a subject of much criticism in the media. In the first game after the international break, however, the forward opened his account, and he used the moment to pay tribute to his sister, who died at the age of 15, reports MARCA.
Diomande’s tribute to his late sister
On the hour mark, Federico Valverde slipped him through and the Ivorian finished low across goal for the game’s only strike.
Once VAR confirmed it, he walked away from his celebrating teammates, closed his eyes and broke down in tears, his gaze fixed on the sky.
He later explained the emotion in his post-match interview. “This means more than words can say. My first goal is for you, sister. Forever in my heart.”
Roxane died in 2025 at just 15, having believed in her brother long before anyone else did. From the age of ten she had acted as his biggest champion, and ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Diomande shared their story in a letter published in The Players’ Tribune.
“Everything I do on the field is for you,” he wrote.
Staking a claim for more minutes
Diomande’s goal against Villarreal also carried a lot of weight, in terms of his standing in the team.
“I’d been waiting for that first goal for a long time,” Diomande admitted on Real Madrid TV. His display offered a glimpse of his value, with four successful dribbles, the pace to stretch Villarreal and the movement to create space for Kylian Mbappe.
With Vinicius facing a possible and lengthened domestic suspension, the 19-year-old has a timely chance to claim a more prominent role.
He is also relishing a first taste of the Champions League. “It’s every child’s dream, and I’m very grateful to be doing it with Real Madrid.”
So it will be interesting to see whether or not Diomande gets more chances to perform in the coming matches, before Real Madrid prepare for the big fight against Barcelona.
