Real Madrid News
Real Madrid summer signing trains under Mourinho for the first time
Denzel Dumfries has officially begun his Real Madrid career after reporting to Valdebebas on Tuesday morning for his medical examination and training.
The 30-year-old right-back, one of the club’s summer signings, completed the routine medical tests at the Sanitas Clinic before joining Jose Mourinho’s squad for training later in the day.
In doing so, Dumfries becomes the first summer signing to begin pre-season training for Real Madrid.
Following his medical check-up, Dumfries started in the gym before moving onto the pitch to perform various running drills and ball exercises under the watchful eye of the new manager.
Returns after World Cup campaign
Dumfries has now ended his summer break following the Netherlands’ elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they were knocked out by Morocco in the Round of 16.
🤩 👀 pic.twitter.com/KGXhKaqj8Y
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) July 28, 2026
The Dutch international joins Real Madrid after the club activated his €20 million release clause to sign him from Inter Milan.
His arrival strengthens the right side of the Merengues’ defence following Dani Carvajal’s departure earlier this summer.
Set to watch Leganes friendly
After arriving at Valdebebas early on Tuesday morning, Dumfries met his new teammates and had the opportunity to speak with Mourinho for the first time since completing his move.
As things stand, however, Dumfries is not expected to feature in Real Madrid’s behind-closed-doors training match against Leganes later today.
But it is likely that he is present in the stands at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium to watch his new teammates in action.
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) July 28, 2026
Competition with Trent
As things stand, Trent Alexander-Arnold is ahead in the pecking order of things at right-back for Real Madrid, having been present for pre-season under Mourinho from the first day.
But, Dumfries is a player that the Portuguese tactician specifically requested and fits more with his style of play.
The experienced defender also arrives on the back of a title-winning season with Inter Milan in Serie A, which was followed by a strong run of displays at the World Cup despite his team’s underwhelming overall performance.
So, it will be interesting to see how things develop and who starts the new campaign as Mourinho’s preferred choice at right-back for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
