Real Madrid head into the 2026-27 season with José Mourinho back in charge and a dramatically reshaped squad, as the club looks to end a two-year wait for major silverware.
Mourinho has returned to the Santiago Bernabéu 13 years after leaving the club, replacing a coaching cycle that saw Xabi Alonso dismissed and Álvaro Arbeloa take over on an interim basis. Club president Florentino Pérez has responded by giving the Portuguese manager unprecedented backing in the transfer market, with Madrid spending close to €500 million on new arrivals.
The scale of the investment reflects the pressure surrounding the new season. After two campaigns without a major trophy, Madrid are expected to compete for every title, while Mourinho faces the challenge of imposing his tactical identity on a squad built around some of the world’s biggest attacking stars.
Mourinho returns with a different Madrid
Mourinho’s first spell at Real Madrid, between 2010 and 2013, produced a Copa del Rey and a La Liga title, while his team famously ended Barcelona’s dominance under Pep Guardiola.
His second spell comes under very different circumstances. Now 63, Mourinho returns after mixed periods at Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahce and Benfica. His main task will be to bring greater tactical discipline to a side that often struggled defensively and lacked consistency under Alonso last season.
The Portuguese coach is expected to rely on a compact defensive structure and quick transitions, a style that could suit Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Junior particularly well.
Jude Bellingham’s role, however, remains less certain. The England midfielder has traditionally been at his best when given greater freedom to move forward, while Mourinho’s preferred structure could require him to operate in a more defined role.
Madrid spend heavily on reinforcements
Pérez’s spending spree has transformed the squad.
Ibrahima Konaté arrived from Liverpool on a free transfer to strengthen a centre-back position that was badly affected by injuries last season. Bernardo Silva also joined without a transfer fee after leaving Manchester City, providing Mourinho with another experienced and tactically versatile option.
Madrid further strengthened their defensive options with Marc Cucurella from Chelsea and Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan. Goalkeeper Carlos Espí was also brought in as a longer-term project.
The headline deal, however, was the signing of 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.
Madrid reportedly paid €125 million for the Ivory Coast international, with bonuses potentially taking the total above €140 million. The deal makes Diomande the most expensive signing in the club’s history, surpassing the fee paid for Bellingham in 2023.
The teenager’s rise has been rapid. After playing for Leganés’ reserves in front of small crowds in early 2025, Diomande has since emerged as a Bundesliga Young Player of the Season and a World Cup performer.
Mbappé remains the focal point
Mbappé enters the new campaign as the reigning World Cup Golden Boot winner and one of the central figures in Madrid’s ambitions.
The French forward scored consistently under both Alonso and Arbeloa last season, and Mourinho’s emphasis on defensive organisation and counter-attacking football could provide him with even more opportunities in space.
But expectations are enormous. Madrid have gone two seasons without a major trophy despite having Mbappé leading their attack.
Mourinho has praised the forward’s ability, describing his talent as “ridiculous”, but has also stressed that the responsibility for the club’s recent failures extends beyond individual players. Mbappé will therefore be expected to play a leading role in Madrid’s attempt to return to the top.
Arda Güler emerges as a key player
One of the most intriguing developments of pre-season has been the rise of Arda Güler.
The 21-year-old Turkey international has yet to establish himself as a regular starter under Ancelotti, Alonso or Arbeloa, but his performances during pre-season have strengthened his case.
Güler was able to join Madrid’s preparations early and impressed with both goals and assists. With several World Cup players returning later to training, he has taken advantage of the opportunity and is now expected to begin the campaign in the starting XI.
The season could therefore represent a decisive step in his development at Madrid.
Mourinho’s expected starting XI
Mourinho has largely used a 4-3-3 formation during pre-season.
The expected lineup once the squad is fully assembled is:
Thibaut Courtois; Denzel Dumfries or Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham; Yan Diomande, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Junior.
Madrid will also have significant depth available, with Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler, Rodrygo and Endrick among the attacking and midfield options available to Mourinho.
Vinícius’ future was another major issue during the summer, with interest from Arsenal creating uncertainty around the Brazilian. That situation was resolved when he agreed to a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2032.
Atletico and Barcelona provide early tests
Madrid’s first league match is scheduled away against Espanyol on August 22, followed four days later by the postponed opening-round fixture against Real Sociedad at the Bernabéu.
The first major test of Mourinho’s second Madrid tenure will come on September 20, when Real Madrid visit Atlético Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
The first Clásico of the season follows on October 25, when Madrid travel to Camp Nou to face Barcelona.
Those two matches should provide an early indication of whether Mourinho has succeeded in building a side capable of challenging Barcelona for the league title after two seasons of Catalan dominance.
For Madrid, the enormous summer investment has left little room for patience. The Mourinho era has returned with familiar expectations: Real Madrid are expected to win.
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