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José Mourinho's Real Madrid Squad for Budapest: Diomande's Delay

José Mourinho has picked his Real Madrid squad for Budapest, and the club’s most expensive new signing will be watching from home.

Yan Diomande, unveiled less than a day ago as Madrid’s latest attacking weapon, has not been included for the second pre-season outing against Ferencváros at the Groupama Arena on Saturday. His debut will have to wait.

Paperwork over plane ticket

The decision is not about form or fitness. As reported by Spanish newspaper Marca, Diomande missed the final morning training session before the trip while he completed the last pieces of administrative work tied to his move. Contracts, registrations, bureaucracy. Necessary, but unforgiving on the calendar.

So instead of boarding the 4pm flight to the Hungarian capital with his new teammates, the Ivorian winger stayed behind in Madrid, his first call-up postponed almost as soon as his signing was announced.

It marks a clear break from the fast-track route taken by Carlos Espí. The youngster joined the squad the moment he arrived last week, thrown straight into Mourinho’s pre-season plans. With Diomande, the coach has chosen a different route: patience. More time to settle, more time to prepare, less rush with a marquee investment.

Big names back in white

If Diomande is the notable absentee, the headline inclusions come in the forward line.

Vinícius Júnior, Bernardo Silva and Brahim Díaz all make the trip and are in line to feature for the first time this pre-season after joining up with the group during the week. The Brazilian, in particular, will command attention. This will be his first appearance since signing a contract extension that ties him to the club until 2032, a symbolic moment in Madrid’s long-term planning.

Bernardo’s presence adds a different flavour to the midfield and attack, his creativity and versatility offering Mourinho new combinations even in these early July tune-ups. Brahim, fresh from his own strong campaign, returns to a squad suddenly rich in technical options between the lines.

Boost at the back, one wait continues

There is good news in defence as well. Dean Huijsen is back after a muscle injury, rejoining full training and stepping straight into the travelling squad. His return injects depth and energy into a back line still short of full strength.

Antonio Rüdiger is also named, a positive sign as he continues to build towards peak condition, even if he is not yet at full throttle. With pre-season minutes carefully managed, Mourinho will be relieved simply to have the German centre-back on the list.

The travelling squad

Real Madrid’s squad for the match against Ferencváros:

  • Goalkeepers: Andriy Lunin, Mestre, Navarro.
  • Defenders: Dean Huijsen, Juan Martínez, Antonio Rüdiger, Lamine Fati, Mario Rivas, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Denzel Dumfries, Álvaro Carreras.
  • Midfielders: Arda Güler, Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, Sистero, Lacosta, Cirilla.
  • Forwards: Brahim Díaz, Vinícius Júnior, Yáñez, Endrick, Carlos Espí.

Pre-season usually belongs to the hopefuls and the returning stars. For Diomande, it begins with a delay, not a debut. His first minutes in white will have to wait a little longer—raising the stakes for the moment he finally steps onto the pitch.

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