Real Madrid are once again struggling with a growing injury list, leaving José Mourinho with a severely depleted squad during the international break. The situation has revived concerns over the club’s recurring fitness problems, which continue to disrupt preparations and affect squad availability.

According to reports published by GOAL on September 27, six first-team players are currently receiving treatment, while several others have joined their national teams, leaving Mourinho with very limited options for training.

Real Madrid Hit by Another Injury Setback

Injuries have been a persistent problem for Real Madrid, with the club reportedly recording 60 injury cases during the previous season. Despite efforts to improve the team’s physical condition and reduce player absences, the situation has yet to show significant improvement.

The Spanish giants have already registered nine injuries this season, matching their total at the same stage of the previous campaign.

Rodrygo, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Kylian Mbappé, Federico Valverde and Ibrahima Konaté are among the players currently sidelined, according to the report.

Mourinho had also been forced to manage his opening five matches with seven players unavailable for each game, highlighting the difficulties caused by the team’s fitness issues.

Mourinho Left With Limited Training Options

The international break has further complicated preparations at the Spanish club. With six players injured and 14 others away on international duty, Mourinho is expected to work with a significantly reduced group when first-team training resumes.

Only six senior players are expected to be available during this period: Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Álvaro Carreras, Antonio Rüdiger, Raúl Asencio and Aurélien Tchouaméni.

The absence of an available senior striker presents an additional challenge for the Portuguese manager. Mourinho is therefore expected to rely on academy prospects to complete training sessions and maintain the team’s preparations.

Rather than focusing on extensive tactical adjustments, the coaching staff will prioritise the fitness of the available players and hope the international fixtures do not produce further injuries.

Mbappé and Valverde Injury Concerns

The timing of the latest setbacks is particularly frustrating for Real Madrid, with injuries affecting several important players around the international break.

Mbappé and Konaté reportedly picked up problems while representing their countries, while Valverde had already suffered an injury during the Madrid derby before the break.

However, the initial outlook for the three players is relatively encouraging. None had been ruled out of Real Madrid’s scheduled match against Villarreal on October 10, although their availability will depend on their recovery and fitness.

Positive News as Militão Nears His Return

Amid the injury concerns, Real Madrid have received some encouraging news regarding Éder Militão.

The Brazilian defender is reportedly approaching a return to team training after recovering from a serious tendon injury that required surgery in April.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Militão recently received medical clearance from the specialist who performed his operation, allowing him to take another step towards returning to action.

His reintegration is expected to be gradual, with his progress in training and physical condition determining when he can return to competitive football. October remains the anticipated target for his comeback.

Real Madrid Hope to Avoid Further Injuries

With several key players unavailable and others representing their national teams, Real Madrid face a delicate period in their preparations.

Mourinho will be hoping his international players return without further physical problems, allowing the squad to regain strength ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.

The recurring injury situation remains a concern for the club, particularly after the difficulties experienced last season. Militão’s potential return offers a positive development, but the priority will be restoring the squad to full fitness and avoiding another prolonged spell of absences.