RismadarVoice Reporters
August 30, 2026
Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has expressed concerns over the impact of September’s extended three-week international break, warning that the prolonged absence of players from club duties could create challenges for preparation and squad management.
Speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga fixture, Mourinho said he was particularly worried about the amount of time players would spend away from the club and the effect it could have on their fitness, rhythm and injury risk when they return.
“The international break does concern me. It’s a lot of time,” Mourinho said, adding that players who travel with their national teams but receive limited playing opportunities are his biggest concern.
The Portuguese coach explained that players who feature regularly for their countries are easier to manage, but those who spend most of the break without competitive action may return without the same level of match fitness or training balance they had before leaving.
Mourinho said he would maintain communication with some national team coaches, including Carlo Ancelotti, to monitor player workloads and physical data, but admitted that managing players across different international environments could be complicated.
The Real Madrid manager also warned that international breaks often come with injury risks, with players sometimes suffering setbacks either during national team duty or shortly after returning to their clubs.
“When they return, they’ve lost all the balance of the work they were doing, and when they get back to the club, within a week or two, the injury happens,” Mourinho said.
The September international window will be longer than the traditional break, leaving clubs without several key players for an extended period during the early stages of the 2026-27 season.
Despite his concerns, Mourinho said he would trust the professionalism of national team coaches and focus on working with the players available at Real Madrid during the period.
The manager, who returned to Real Madrid for a second spell, has also emphasised the importance of squad depth as the club prepares for a demanding season involving domestic and European competitions.
