​Real Madrid’s pre-season officially kicks off today, but behind the scenes Jose Mourinho has already begun laying the groundwork for what he hopes will be a successful new chapter at the Santiago Bernabéu. According to MARCA, the Portuguese manager has spent the past few weeks poring over detailed reports on his squad and pinpointing the academy players he wants to evaluate personally in the opening weeks of training. With several senior players still unavailable after their involvement in the FIFA World Cup, Mourinho will start the preparations with a squad that blends first-team regulars with some of the club’s most highly regarded youngsters. This opening phase of Real Madrid’s pre-season training thus represents a major opportunity for the club’s emerging talents to show they belong at the highest level.
Mourinho has been taking a hands-on approach before he even steps onto the training ground. Rather than relying solely on recommendations from the academy staff, the Real Madrid manager has personally reviewed reports on a number of youth prospects and decided which players he wants to monitor most closely. For these academy graduates, this will be their first genuine chance to impress Mourinho directly and to compete for a place in his long-term plans. The timing is favorable, as several Real Madrid players continue their mandatory post-World Cup break and will return gradually over the coming weeks after about three weeks of physical and mental recovery.
Until these players return in a phased manner, Mourinho will carefully select the academy stars to participate in pre-season preparations. This approach gives him valuable time to assess the younger members of the squad in a competitive training environment, ensuring they have the chance to demonstrate their readiness for first-team responsibilities. While evaluating the squad remains a central objective, Mourinho has told staff and players that the new campaign must be treated as a mission rather than merely another season. Changing the daily culture at Real Madrid appears to be one of his top priorities, with a focus on elevating standards in training, preparation, and commitment across the entire squad. His objective goes beyond chasing trophies; he aims to establish a higher level of consistency and professionalism throughout the group, and that mindset is expected to permeate every facet of Real Madrid’s pre-season. Each training session will carry significant weight, regardless of whether participants are seasoned internationals or academy prospects hoping to leave a lasting impression. The emphasis on culture, caliber, and daily work ethic signals Mourinho’s intent to redefine what success looks like at Real Madrid as the club prepares for the upcoming campaign.