José Mourinho has told defender Raúl Asencio he won’t be part of Real Madrid’s plans next season. It’s the kind of cold, decisive move that made Mourinho famous, and it’s already raising questions about what comes next for one of the most valuable sports franchises on earth.
The conversation reportedly happened around July 22, 2026, just weeks after Asencio had publicly expressed excitement about Mourinho’s return to the club in June. In English: the young defender rolled out the welcome mat, and Mourinho used it to show him the door.
A squad overhaul with financial implications
Reports sourced from Radioestadio Noche suggest Mourinho is looking to sell Asencio specifically to finance transfers that would strengthen the squad’s competitiveness heading into the next La Liga campaign.
The Asencio factor
