Real Madrid pre-season officially begins today. Behind the scenes, Jose Mourinho has already laid the groundwork for what he hopes will be a successful new chapter at the Santiago Bernabeu.

According to MARCA, the Portuguese manager spent the last few weeks analyzing detailed squad reports. He also identified the academy players he intends to evaluate personally during the initial weeks of training.

With several senior players unavailable following their participation in the FIFA World Cup, Mourinho begins his work with a group composed of first-team regulars and some of the club’s most promising youngsters.

The opening phase of Real Madrid pre-season training serves as a major opportunity for the club’s emerging talents to prove they belong at the highest level.

Mourinho identifies academy star for first-team assessment

The latest Real Madrid news suggests Mourinho has taken a hands-on approach before stepping onto the training pitch.

Rather than relying only on recommendations from academy staff, the Real Madrid manager personally reviewed reports on several youth prospects to determine which players he wants to monitor closely.

For those academy graduates, this marks their first real chance to impress Mourinho directly and compete for a place in his long-term plans.

The timing favors these players, as several Real Madrid squad members are still completing their mandatory post-World Cup break. These players will return gradually over the coming weeks after receiving approximately three weeks of physical and mental recovery.

Until they return, Mourinho has valuable time to assess the younger members of the squad in a competitive training environment.

Mourinho sets new standards

While squad evaluation remains a primary focus, Mourinho has informed the staff and players that the new campaign must be approached as a mission rather than just another season.

Changing the daily culture represents one of Mourinho’s first priorities. His objective involves not only competing for trophies but also establishing higher standards for training, preparation, and commitment across the entire squad.

That mentality will likely influence every aspect of Real Madrid’s pre-season, as every training session carries significant importance for both experienced internationals and academy prospects hoping to make an impression.