Éder Militão took another step toward his return on Monday, joining part of Real Madrid’s training session as preparations continued for the October 10 meeting with Villarreal. With several teammates still recovering, his progress was the main development at Valdebebas. Elsewhere, Barcelona’s dispute with Florentino Pérez has a conciliation date, Thomas Tuchel has discussed Jude Bellingham’s competitive edge, and Cestero’s absence from Castilla has drawn attention.
Militão takes another step in his recovery
Éder Militão participated in running
exercises alongside his teammates on Monday, beginning his reintegration into group training after the tendon injury that has kept him out since April. The Brazilian’s involvement was the principal development in a session focused on physical work, with much of Mourinho’s squad still away on international duty.
Militão underwent surgery on April 28 to repair a rupture of the proximal tendon of the biceps femoris in his left leg. Five months later, his participation with the group represents progress toward a competitive return, although it does not establish that he is ready to play against Villarreal on October 10. His workload is expected to increase gradually rather than move immediately from rehabilitation to match selection.
The defender’s return to group exercises follows a visit to Valdebebas by Dr. Lasse Lempainen, the specialist who performed the operation. Lempainen examined Militão and worked with Madrid’s medical and performance staff to assess the next stage of his recovery.
“Great day in Madrid with Éder Militão and the medical and performance staff of Real Madrid. A full day dedicated to his return as Éder continues to progress according to plan following surgery for his serious tendon injury,” Lempainen wrote on social media.
“It was a pleasure for us to contribute our expertise and experience to his return to the pitch, with the ultimate goal of helping him return safely and perform at the highest level again. Many thanks to Éder and all the Real Madrid staff for the excellent collaboration and a very successful day. Returning to the pitch is a milestone. Getting back to your highest level of performance is the goal.”
Elsewhere in the session, Ibrahima Konaté, Kylian Mbappé and Fede Valverde continued their recovery work. Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo also remained in rehabilitation, although both were able to work with the ball on the pitch.
Barcelona and Florentino Pérez given November conciliation date
Barcelona and Florentino Pérez have been summoned to a conciliation hearing in Madrid on November 25 at 9:40 a.m., according to EFE, citing judicial sources. The hearing concerns Barcelona’s request for the Madrid president to retract statements about the Negreira case before the Catalan club potentially proceeds with a criminal complaint alleging calumnias. It is a preliminary conciliation proceeding, not a criminal trial or a ruling on the disputed statements.
Barcelona submitted its application on June 12, following Pérez’s press conference on May 12 and an interview the following day. The club argues that his remarks damaged its image and reputation. Among the statements Barcelona challenged was Pérez’s allegation that Madrid had been deprived of league titles.
“I’ve been here I don’t know how many seasons and I’ve only won seven Champions Leagues and seven Leagues, which could have been 14 because seven Leagues were stolen from me,” Pérez said.
Pérez also called for UEFA to intervene over the Negreira case and announced that Madrid were preparing a dossier for the governing body. Barcelona rejected his accusations and set out its position in the statement announcing the conciliation request.
“The aim of this request is for Mr. Pérez to retract certain statements he made knowing them to be false, statements which are defamatory and offensive to the Club’s image and reputation. Should this request not be properly addressed, FC Barcelona will proceed with filing the corresponding criminal complaint,” Barcelona stated.
The November hearing will therefore provide an opportunity to resolve the dispute before the further legal action Barcelona has announced. The club’s description of Pérez’s statements remains its allegation, rather than a conclusion reached by the court.
Riquelme: “Selling Real Madrid remains a red line”
Enrique Riquelme has discussed his electoral defeat and the circumstances that could prompt him to become involved in Real Madrid’s institutional affairs again. Speaking to Expansión, the businessman, who received 35% of the vote against Florentino Pérez, said he accepted the result and had not intended to maintain a daily campaign against the club’s leadership.
“It was expected that I would be there afterwards, day after day, battling, but that’s not the case. I accept the result and support the team like any other Madrid fan,” Riquelme said.
He left open the possibility of another candidacy but stopped short of committing to one.
“I respect the results that occurred and the only thing I ask for is unity within Real Madrid, even though there are things I don’t like. Time will tell if I run again or not,” he said. “I ran when I saw what was happening and I didn’t like it from an institutional point of view.”
Riquelme identified a possible change to the club’s ownership model as the issue he would continue to monitor, while explicitly acknowledging that he did not currently see a sale taking place.
“The sale of the club remains a red line. I will be very attentive to any possible change in the statutes to prevent the sale from happening. I will take action if I see that happening, although I must say that I don’t see it happening at the moment.”
For now, he has made no announcement about another presidential campaign, saying only that time and the club’s circumstances would determine whether he runs again.
Tuchel on Bellingham: “It’s better for him to play with some anger”
Thomas Tuchel has backed the competitive intensity Jude Bellingham displayed during England’s 3–2 defeat to Spain at Wembley, while emphasizing that the midfielder’s workload will be assessed throughout the international window. Bellingham provided an assist and created five chances in the match, which also included an exchange with Madrid teammate Marc Cucurella.
Speaking ahead of England’s meeting with the Czech Republic on Tuesday, Tuchel suggested that those confrontations can bring out Bellingham’s best football.
“It’s better for him to play with some anger. That’s what he likes to do. I think sometimes he looks for those moments to ignite his fire,” Tuchel said.
Asked about the incident with Cucurella, the England manager distinguished between Bellingham’s relationships with his club teammates and his approach when facing them internationally.
“I don’t think he knows any of his teammates when he’s with the national team. He wants to win. He doesn’t know any of his teammates. He’s still friends with them, but not for the full 90 minutes.”
Tuchel would like to use Bellingham throughout England’s four-match schedule, but said the medical staff would help determine what was appropriate.
“I’d love to have him on the field four times. But we’ll have to consult with the physiotherapists; we’re not going to put Jude at risk.”
Moleiro says Villarreal have their own reasons to demand a win
Alberto Moleiro has acknowledged Madrid’s need to respond when league football resumes, but says Villarreal will approach the meeting with ambitions of their own. Speaking to AS, the midfielder framed the match as an opportunity for his team to demonstrate that it belongs near the top of the table.
“Yes, we know how important it is for Real Madrid to win, but we also need to win, and we want to win because we want to be at the top. And if we want to be at the top, we have to compete in these kinds of matches, win them, and show that we deserve to be there. And I think we can do it, so let’s see what happens.”
Madrid host Villarreal at the Bernabéu on October 10, their first competitive fixture following the international break.
Report: Mourinho chose Madrid return after Portugal discussions
José Mourinho held discussions about becoming Portugal’s national-team coach before accepting Real Madrid’s offer to return, according to a report attributed to AS. The account places the Portuguese federation’s approach before the World Cup, as it prepared for Roberto Martínez’s departure.
According to the report, Mourinho had spoken with federation officials about the conditions of the role when Pérez approached him about returning to Madrid. The coach was then in charge of Benfica, and Madrid subsequently met the contractual requirements to secure his departure.
The report identifies Pérez’s relationship with Mourinho as an important factor in the decision. It says the two had remained in contact after the Portuguese coach’s first spell at the club, with Pérez and José Ángel Sánchez ultimately deciding to pursue another managerial return, as Madrid had previously done with Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti.
Portugal subsequently turned to Jorge Jesus. The account concerns the discussions preceding Mourinho’s appointment at Madrid, rather than a new approach during the current season.
Cestero’s Castilla omission reportedly followed disciplinary issue
Jorge Cestero’s absence from Castilla’s squad against Alcorcón was a disciplinary measure following a disagreement over his substitute role against Sant Andreu, according to reporting carried by Mundo Deportivo. The midfielder’s omission was described publicly as a technical decision rather than an injury-related absence.
The reports say Cestero expressed his dissatisfaction after being left out of the starting lineup, prompting a response from the club. Whether he will return for Friday’s reserve-team derby against Atlético Madrileño remains unclear.
Julián López de Lerma did not publicly detail the disagreement when asked about the midfielder. Instead, Castilla’s coach emphasized the developmental role of the team and Cestero’s continued importance.
“We are focused on player development; we want all the players to be able to showcase their abilities, compete, and be part of the team. Jorge is and will be a very important player for us this season.”
The omission interrupts a period in which Cestero had featured in Mourinho’s preseason plans and helped Madrid win the Under-20 Intercontinental Cup at the Bernabéu. His next involvement with Castilla will depend on the coaching staff’s decision over his return to the squad.
