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Three Real Madrid players who could leave after the FIFA Club World Cup
Real Madrid have already made three signings this summer in the form of Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Franco Mastantuono.
The Merengues are still working to add a few more players with a new left-back, likely Alvaro Carreras, and a midfielder expected to be signed.
However, Xabi Alonso & co. might have to offload some players from the squad to balance the books.
Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez will both be leaving once their contracts expire after the FIFA Club World Cup. But once the tournament is done, there is a strong likelihood that there will be more departures from Real Madrid this summer.
To that end, here are three players who are unlikely to be with the Spanish capital giants for the next season.
Rodrygo
In recent seasons, Rodrygo has gone on to establish himself as a permanent fixture in the starting XI at Real Madrid but things have not gone his way over the past few months.
The 24-year-old forward lost prominence towards the backend of the season under Carlo Ancelotti and things have not gotten to the best start under Xabi Alonso. After starting vs Al-Hilal, Rodrygo did not play a single minute against Pachuca.
The former Santos wonderkid is allegedly keen on playing on the left flank or through the middle – positions that are filled by Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe.
With Arda Guler gaining prominence and Franco Mastantuono also expected to compete for a spot on the right wing, it leaves Rodrygo in a difficult position, making an exit likely.
Arsenal hold a strong interest in the forward and are prepared to make a move. Real Madrid, who are demanding €90 million for Rodrygo, could invest that fee into signing a new midfielder.
David Alaba
David Alaba is one of a number of veterans whose contract at Real Madrid expires in 2026. And, as things stand, the Merengues have no plans to offer him a renewal. So, this summer represents the final chance for the club to gain some fee from his departure.
Since rupturing his ACL in December 2023, the Austrian has struggled to regain full fitness. His comeback earlier this year was far from convincing before he suffered another injury and had to undergo surgery again.
Alaba is one of Real Madrid’s highest earners with wages close to €19 million per season. However, he is now essentially the fifth-choice centre-back in the squad behind Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, and Dean Huijsen.
Given the entire situation, it makes sense for Real Madrid to move on from Alaba and the player, too, as there is little chance for him to get regular minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu this season.
Eduardo Camavinga
One of the most promising youngsters in Europe when he arrived at Real Madrid from Rennes, Eduardo Camavinga is yet to fully flourish as was expected.
While there have been plenty of encouraging signs throughout his stint at the club, there have also been some concerns. For starters, the ill-discipline in his game, which cost Real Madrid on multiple occasions, make him a liability.
On top of that, Camavinga endured an injury-riddled season in 2024/25, suffering as many as four physical setbacks, leading him to miss over 30 games for club and country.
Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham are clearly ahead of Camavinga in the pecking order at Real Madrid and competition for places will get steeper if Real Madrid rope in another midfielder this summer.
With there being some interest from the Premier League, it might be a good opportunity for Real Madrid to cash in on Camavinga this summer.
Real Madrid will be eager to move to the top of the La Liga standings as they get set to take on Real Betis in a Matchday 4 fixture in La Liga tonight.
Under new manager Jose Mourinho, the Merengues have made a strong start to the season, winning three in three, with their latest match ending in a 4-0 triumph against Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The fact that superstars like Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr. have made strong starts to the season, while new signings Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konate have also made positive impact bodes well for Los Blancos.
The aim will be to secure their fourth victory in a row and continue building the momentum especially with the UEFA Champions League opener against Inter Milan coming up next.
Going into the game, though, Real Madrid will once again be without as many as seven players as Aurelien Tchouameni, Endrick, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo Goes, Thiago Pitarch, and Raul Asencio remain unavailable.
New teenage signing Sergio Martinez has been named in the squad and could be in line for his debut at Estadio de La Cartuja tonight.
Having made some rotations to the starting XI last time out against Malaga, here’s how Mourinho could set his Real Madrid team up tonight.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois is a confirmed starter in goal for Real Madrid and will be looking for his second clean sheet of the new campaign.
As for the defensive line, there is likely to be only one change with Ibrahima Konate coming back into the team in place of Antonio Rudiger, who made his first start of the season vs Malaga.
Dean Huijsen has been a constant fixture at the heart of the defence so far and that is unlikely to change.
At right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold appears set to retain his place after an impressive display in his first start of the season last weekend. It means, new signing Denzel Dumfries will remain on the bench. Marc Cucurella, meanwhile, should start again on the left side.
Midfield
Bernardo Silva was one of the players that Mourinho rotated against Malaga, and is expected to return to the lineup tonight against Real Betis.
The Portuguese international has done fairly well in his new role as part of the double pivot alongside Federico Valverde, who will retain his place in the team.
It would mean Eduardo Camavinga misses out after having a decent game on his first start of the season last weekend.
Jude Bellingham has been in spectacular form since the start of the season, already racking up two goals and two assists from three games. Back in his preferred role as an attacking midfielder, he will start there again tonight.
Attack
Moving into the attacking unit, Mourinho is expected to make one key change as Arda Guler should replace Brahim Diaz on the right flank after scoring Real Madrid’s fourth goal against Malaga coming on as a substitute.
What it also means is that blockbuster summer signing Yan Diomande will have to wait for his first start for Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe has already scored four goals in three games, making a blistering start to the season and will be aiming to build on that as he chases a hat-trick of Pichichi Trophies.
Rounding off the attacking trident will be superstar Vinicius Jr., who will also be hoping to get among the goals.
