Real Madrid’s French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring with teammates during the pre-season friendly football match between FC Schalke 04 and Real Madrid in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany, on August 16, 2026. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP)
New Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho on Friday insisted his team’s star players could fit together ahead of Los Blancos’ opening La Liga game at Espanyol.
Mourinho’s predecessors Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa struggled to strike a balance between attack and defence while lining up with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
Madrid won the Champions League in 2024 with England international Bellingham and Brazilian winger Vinicius playing key roles, but since French superstar Mbappe arrived that summer, the club have not lifted a major trophy.
“They are incredible players and incredible players want to play with incredible players,” Mourinho told reporters.
