Real Madrid completed their preparations for Villarreal with Fede Valverde included in the squad and Ferland Mendy taking another step in his recovery. Saturday’s return to league action also brings Kylian Mbappé and Ibrahima Konaté back into contention, although Mourinho will remain without several defensive options. Away from the pitch, transfer reports, early kit predictions and Sávio’s assessment of Madrid’s attack provide plenty to discuss.
Valverde included against Villarreal as Mendy returns to partial training
Fede Valverde has been named in Real Madrid’s squad
for Saturday’s meeting with Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu, kicking off at 9 p.m. Madrid time. Mbappé and Konaté are also included after recovering from the problems that interrupted their international commitments.
Valverde’s inclusion follows his return to full group training on Friday, 19 days after the challenge that injured his left ankle in the derby. Madrid’s September 22 medical update diagnosed a grade-three sprain, but his subsequent progress has allowed him to return to the matchday group. Whether he starts remains a separate decision.
Mourinho had described the midfielder as a doubt during his press conference, explaining that a decision would follow the final session. The subsequently published squad list confirmed his inclusion without establishing how many minutes he would be ready to play.
There was also progress for Mendy, who completed a small part of Friday’s training with his teammates. Mourinho had announced that the session would mark the Frenchman’s first work on the pitch with the group during this stage of his recovery. Mendy is not included against Villarreal, so the development represents a rehabilitation milestone rather than an immediate competitive return.
Militão still needs time despite training progress
Éder Militão also remains unavailable. Mourinho said the Brazilian will miss not only Villarreal but also the following matches against Roma and Sevilla, explaining that he still needs additional time before returning safely to competition.
With Dean Huijsen suspended and Raúl Asencio recovering from surgery, Konaté and Antonio Rüdiger are expected to form the central-defensive partnership. AS identifies Aurélien Tchouaméni as a potential alternative should Mourinho need to move a midfielder into the back line.
Friday’s session began with activation exercises and rondos, followed by tactical work, pressing and possession drills. It concluded with small-sided games and shooting practice. The club’s report listed Asencio and Rodrygo as continuing their recovery programs.
Report: Madrid make inquiries about McTominay
Real Madrid have reportedly contacted Scott McTominay’s representatives as uncertainty surrounds the midfielder’s contract discussions with Napoli. MARCA, citing Il Mattino, reports that Madrid have made inquiries about the Scotland international, whose current agreement runs until June 2028.
According to the account, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis does not regard an extension as an immediate priority, while the player’s representatives would prefer to settle his future sooner. Madrid are not described as the only interested club.
The Mourinho connection is an established part of McTominay’s career: the Portuguese coach gave him his Manchester United first-team debut in 2017 and has continued to speak fondly of him. Asked previously whether he would consider Madrid if Mourinho called, McTominay replied:
“If that happened, I would think about it.”
For now, the reported development concerns contact with the player’s camp. It does not establish that Madrid have submitted an offer to Napoli or reached an agreement over a transfer.
Bayern reportedly prepare major Olise renewal offer
Bayern Munich are preparing a substantial contract proposal for Michael Olise amid continued reports of Madrid’s interest. According to reporting attributed to Sky Germany, the German club would like to extend his agreement from 2029 to 2032, potentially making him the highest-paid player in the squad.
The reported proposal would take his annual earnings above the approximately €25 million associated with Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala. Those figures describe a potential offer, not an extension Olise has accepted.
A release clause is reportedly an important issue for the player’s representatives. The reports suggest his camp would seek a mechanism allowing him to control a future departure, with a figure above €200 million being discussed. No such clause should be treated as part of his existing contract.
Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund, meanwhile, has emphasized the club’s satisfaction with Olise and the time remaining on his current deal.
“Michael has developed incredibly well with us and is currently one of the best players in the world. We are extremely happy to have him playing for us. He has a contract until 2029, so there is no pressure. He feels very comfortable at FC Bayern and we are in constant contact with him. As I said, there is no rush.”
Riquelme preparing a meeting space for Madrid members
Enrique Riquelme is preparing to support a new space near the Santiago Bernabéu where Real Madrid members can meet and share their concerns and proposals, according to Radio MARCA’s Otra Ronda. The program reported that the initiative will be presented shortly.
The proposed venue is described as a place for participation and dialogue, rather than a recreation of the electoral headquarters Riquelme used during his presidential campaign. Its name and operational details have not yet been disclosed.
Although the project would maintain Riquelme’s connection with members, it does not constitute an announcement that he will run for president again. The reporting also distinguishes the initiative from a platform intended to confront Florentino Pérez’s current administration directly.
Kit leaks point to white, black and purple for 2027–28
Footy Headlines has published early information about Madrid’s 2027–28 kit collection, suggesting a return to white, black and purple across the three shirts. The material consists of leaked colour information and predicted design elements, rather than an official unveiling by Madrid or Adidas.
The projected home shirt retains a white base with black and purple details. Footy Headlines also suggests an all-over checker pattern could feature, although that remains part of its early prediction rather than a confirmed final design.
The away shirt is expected to pair black with white accents. The third shirt would use purple as its main colour, accompanied by a modern graphic. White is considered the likely secondary colour for that kit, but the report explicitly states that the accent colours have not yet been confirmed.
Sávio discusses Vinícius, Endrick and the demands of playing for Madrid
Sávio has assessed Madrid’s current situation in an interview with AS, discussing the pressure on Mourinho, the challenges facing the Brazilian forwards and the qualities he likes in Yan Diomande. The former winger believes the squad has the talent to improve, but needs time and work to establish a more cohesive team.
Vinícius and the response to a difficult period
Asked about Vinícius Júnior, Sávio focused on his performances rather than speculating about his personal life. He pointed to the progress the forward made after first arriving in Madrid as evidence of his ability to overcome difficulties.
“I don’t know anything about Vinicius’s private life, but on the pitch, it’s clear he’s not at his best. The only way to get out of a slump is with a lot of hard work and being mentally very strong. When he arrived, the first two or three years were difficult, and in Brazil, people would ask me why he wasn’t finishing strong, and I always said that we had to be patient because he was a very young lad. He went straight from Flamengo’s U-17 team to the first team! With time and hard work, he improved until he won two Champions Leagues, playing a key role. Now he has to focus entirely on Real Madrid to become a decisive player again.”
Sávio acknowledged how difficult it is to ask Madrid supporters for patience, drawing on his own experience at two clubs with particularly demanding fanbases.
“It’s very difficult to ask for patience from a fanbase the size of Real Madrid’s. I played for Flamengo and Real Madrid, both huge fanbases with enormous pressure, but I approached it as a challenge, trying to enjoy myself on the pitch. If I have to say anything, it’s to focus entirely on football and keep working, because when the fans see that you’re giving your all, they’ll always be with you.”
Rodrygo’s recovery and their exchange of shirts
Sávio also spoke warmly about Rodrygo, whom he recently met through a connection involving his son and mutual friends. The pair exchanged the number 11 shirts associated with their respective periods at Madrid.
“An injury is the worst thing for an athlete. I’ve been through similar times, although not as serious as Rodrygo’s. You have to be with the physio every day working to get back as soon as possible, without being able to say anything in advance… I saw him doing very well; he’s a very down-to-earth guy. Through my son and his friends, we were able to exchange number 11 jerseys, both the one from my time and his current one. He’s a fantastic player, I love him, with his short dribbling, speed, and tactical awareness. Real Madrid misses him.”
Endrick needs regular football
On Endrick, Sávio was careful to acknowledge the limits of his assessment. He said he had seen too little of the forward at Madrid to explain precisely why he had struggled to establish himself, but argued that consistent playing time should be the priority.
“I don’t really know what’s going on because I’ve seen very little of Endrick at Real Madrid. I’m left with the image of his last fantastic season with Palmeiras, before coming here, when he was a young and very talented lad. It seems like he’s not finding his footing here, not because of his football, but because of a lack of consistency… or connection…”
Sávio drew a distinction between fulfilling the ambition of joining Madrid and having the opportunities required to develop.
“Being at Real Madrid was a five-year dream come true for me, but I didn’t just want to be there; I always wanted to play football. If Endrick doesn’t fit in and continues in this situation, being such a young and talented lad, he has to play somewhere.”
Diomande and the importance of taking on defenders
Sávio praised Diomande’s willingness to attack opponents, identifying qualities he believes should remain central to a winger’s game.
“I really like talented players who take on defenders and try again without hesitating after a mistake. Diomande is a young guy with speed, talent, and a good tactical contribution to offer.”
He related that approach to the encouragement he received from Roberto Carlos when he first joined Madrid.
“Football has changed, and there’s much more running involved these days, but you can’t lose the essence of the game, nor can you stop dribbling. When I came to Real Madrid, Roberto Carlos told me to take on defenders and go for it, that if I lost the ball, he’d be there to cover for me. That gave me a lot of confidence. You have to work on the tactical side and marking, but without abandoning your own style of play. Today, I see many wingers more concerned with marking than with attacking.”
Backing Mourinho while acknowledging Madrid’s urgency
Sávio praised Raphinha’s form at Barcelona but stressed that Madrid possess the individual quality to compete in the Clásico. In his view, the remaining task is to make those individual pieces function together more effectively.
He expressed confidence that Mourinho can find the solution.
“I never worked with Mourinho, but I played against him and I always liked his style. He’s a very successful manager wherever he’s been and he’s very capable. Real Madrid doesn’t have much time, but I think he’s the best name for the moment and he needs a little more time to integrate the team, as I said before. He knows what he’s doing; he’s proven that at the clubs he’s been at.”
On the Ballon d’Or, however, Sávio declined to name a favourite, describing a field without the obvious individual superiority that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi displayed during their rivalry.
“Wow! It’s really tough this year, there are so many contenders for the Ballon d’Or. I don’t see any clear superiority or anyone who stands out individually like Cristiano and Messi did in their time. It’s hard to single out just one player this year, it’s a very complicated decision… Let me leave this question as is,” he said, laughing.
Míchel recalls signing thousands of photographs for supporters
Míchel has recalled the volume of fan mail he answered during his playing career, describing a time when signed postcards and handwritten dedications were a principal connection between supporters and their favourite footballers.
In a conversation with Sara Carbonero on Antena 3, the former Madrid midfielder said he responded to thousands of letters and signed a similar number of photographs each week.
“Yes, yes, because we had postcards of the club, and we would sign them and write a dedication—4,000 or 5,000 photos a week.”
Decades later, supporters still show him the keepsakes.
“And there are still people who tell me they have them,” Míchel said.
He also described receiving photographs on his phone that fans had originally taken on film, including pictures from chance encounters in the street or on holiday. Those messages have occasionally reconnected him with people he met many years earlier.
Video: Diomande features in Madrid’s training highlights
Real Madrid have shared two sequences featuring Yan Diomande in their training footage ahead of the Villarreal match. The clips offer another look at the winger’s technique as the squad prepares to resume its league campaign.
