Mourinho Opens Real Madrid Preseason With Alcorcon Test

Mourinho’s Early Training Session

Jose Mourinho has been holding daily drills at Valdebebas with the players currently available to him. Among the first to report is Arda Guler, the Turkish winger who became the first World Cup‑participant to rejoin Real Madrid. The Portuguese boss has also invited several academy graduates to join the sessions, giving them a glimpse of the first‑team environment.

Key Figures Returning After the World Cup

After Guler’s arrival, Federico Valverde is slated to join the squad shortly. The Uruguay midfielder’s national team was knocked out in the group stage, just like Guler’s Turkiye. German centre‑back Antonio Rudiger, whose side fell in the Round of 32, is also expected to arrive in the coming days. Their availability for the upcoming match remains uncertain, however.

First Preseason Match Against Alcorcon

According to a report in MARCA, Mourinho’s inaugural clash will take place on Friday, 24 July, against Alcorcon. The game is a behind‑closed‑doors training match with unlimited substitutions, aimed at evaluating tactics and player fitness. It will be the first competitive outing for the Spanish side’s new manager, Fran Justo, who will pilot Alcorcon from the bench for the first time.

Alcorcon’s New Season Kits

Alcorcon plans to unveil its fresh kit on Thursday, and the training match against Real Madrid will serve as the first public appearance of the designs. The squad is eager to make a strong impression as they begin their season preparations, mirroring Mourinho’s own focus on assessing his squad.

Young Talent Gets a Spotlight

Because the encounter is not a traditional friendly, it offers several Real Madrid youths an opportunity to shine in front of the head coach. These academy players can use the exposure to prove they merit a place in Mourinho’s plans for the upcoming campaign, potentially influencing his final roster decisions.

Looking Ahead

As the squad continues to assemble, Mourinho will likely use subsequent sessions and internal friendlies to fine‑tune his system. The Alcorcon test, though unheralded, sets the tone for a preseason that will blend player integration with tactical experimentation ahead of the competitive season.