The international break has come at the worst possible time for Real Madrid. Los Blancos head into the break on the back of eight consecutive victories, with José Mourinho's coaching staff keeping their fingers crossed so that all their players return uninjured. No other European team has more players called up to their respective national teams.
The international break is now a reality for Real Madrid. A total of 18 players have left the facilities at the club's Valdebebas training complex to join their respective national teams. Only Manchester City has as many players called up for the final FIFA international window of 2026. Mourinho already made it clear during his latest press conference that he is extremely concerned about the condition in which his players will return to the club to finish the year.
Everything has changed at Real Madrid between the first and second international break of the season. Los Blancos have put together eight consecutive victories, including several clean sheets and wins against major opponents such as Barcelona and Roma. Now, however, the club must hope that all 18 players travelling to represent their countries return in the best possible condition.
The 18 players called up are Marc Cucurella, Dean Huijsen, Carlos Espí, Thiago Pitarch, Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Ibrahima Konaté, Vinícius Júnior, Endrick, Jude Bellingham, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries, Federico Valverde, Brahim Díaz, Arda Güler and Yan Diomande.
All of them have left Real Madrid's training facilities over the past few hours. Most will represent their senior national teams, although some have been called up to Under-21 squads. Over the next week, Real Madrid will be left with just Thibaut Courtois, Antonio Rüdiger, Andriy Lunin, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Álvaro Carreras at the Valdebebas training complex.
José Mourinho will work with these players alongside injured duo Rodrygo and Raúl Asencio. Everyone else is heading off for an international break that is already causing the Portuguese manager considerable concern.
"I'm telling you now that the international break worries me because if they stayed here with me and my staff, we would pay very special attention to their recovery. But they will be with their national teams," said the Real Madrid manager following the victory against Valencia. This will be the final international window of 2026. The next will take place in March, 2027.
After this international window, Real Madrid will enter the final stretch of matches for the year. The team currently sit second in the Spanish Championship and occupy a strong position in their bid to reach the UEFA Champions League round of 16 without having to go through the playoff. Having as many players as possible return from the international break without physical problems will be crucial if the team are to maintain the form they have been building since the beginning of October.