Federico Valverde returns to lead Real Madrid into Mourinho era | OneFootball

Jose Mourinho has been overseeing preseason training at Real Madrid for more than a week now, but so far, has had only a few first team players available. Others have been playing in the World Cup 2026, and as their campaigns ended, they embarked on their annual holidays.

Now, these players have gradually started returning to Valdebebas as their vacation ends. The first to do so was Arda Guler, whose Turkiye team was eliminated in the group stage of the international competition. He rejoined training at the Merengue club last Monday.

Another Real Madrid player whose World Cup campaign disappointingly ended in the group stage was the midfielder Federico Valverde. After draws against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, his Uruguay side’s participation in the tournament came to an end with the defeat to Spain in the third group stage game on 28th June.

Now, 24 days after this elimination, Diario AS reports that he has reported to the Merengue club and has already started training under the new coach. The first thing he did following his arrival at Valdebebas today, on Wednesday, was undergoing a medical test at the Blua Sanitas clinic, before participating in the training session with nine other first team players: Lunin, Trent, Huijsen, Asensio, Carreras, Güler, Camavinga, Mastantuono, and Gonzalo.

Despite a difficult last season, the Uruguayan has already proven himself beyond any doubt at Real Madrid. However, this preseason and the upcoming season will still be very important for him, as he will be beginning life under a new coach, Jose Mourinho, and will also have increased responsibilities, at least in the dressing room, as he is now the first captain of the team, following the departure of Dani Carvajal.

Hopefully, Federico Valverde will take on these new challenges with the same vigor that has always characterized him, and continue to bring glory and success to Real Madrid.