Real Madrid has officially initiated their pre-season training, but several key players are still away due to their participation in the World Cup.
As some international players remain on break—either competing in the tournament or enjoying time off after being eliminated—the squad will gradually welcome back reinforcements over the upcoming weeks as players finish their required rest periods before rejoining José Mourinho’s team.
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Initial Returns
According to Mundo Deportivo, the first to return will be Arda Guler and Federico Valverde, whose teams were eliminated during the group stages.
The anticipated return dates are July 17 for Guler and July 18 for Valverde, making them the first World Cup players to report back to Valdebebas.
Additional Reinforcements Arriving Late July
Denzel Dumfries is set to join the pre-season preparations in a week. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Antonio Rudiger is expected back on July 21, coinciding with the arrival of new signing Denzel Dumfries.
Reports suggest that Dumfries, who transferred from Inter Milan, may even be officially introduced as a Real Madrid player on that date.
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The next group of players is slated to return on July 27, with Brazilian stars Endrick and Vinicius Jr. joining the pre-season camp.
Another new addition, Bernardo Silva, is scheduled to report for training on July 28, possibly with a presentation that same day.
Looking ahead, Brahim Diaz will return on July 31, while Thibaut Courtois, who sustained an injury during the quarter-finals against Spain, is expected back on August 1.
These players were all eliminated prior to the World Cup semi-finals and will return based on the club’s recovery schedule.
Last to Return: Semifinalists
Currently, Real Madrid has five players still competing in the tournament: Marc Cucurella (Spain), Kylian Mbappe, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Ibrahima Konate (all France), and Jude Bellingham (England).
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As the tournament unfolds, these individuals will be the last to rejoin the pre-season commitments.
Players whose national teams are eliminated in the semifinals are anticipated to return on August 5, while any Real Madrid players who reach the World Cup final on July 19 will report back to Mourinho’s squad on August 10, after they complete their post-tournament breaks.
This staggered return schedule means Mourinho will begin pre-season with a limited squad, supplemented by academy players and recent signings.
As each group of internationals comes back, the Portuguese manager will progressively put together his complete roster ahead of the new season, with the last World Cup participants not expected until early August.