Real Madrid players return to training with Villarreal clash in focus
Real Madrid resumed training on Monday morning as José Mourinho’s side began preparations for Saturday’s La Liga meeting with Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The squad that remained in the Spanish capital during the international break was given the weekend off before returning to work at Valdebebas from 10:30 local time, according to Mundo Deportivo. Attention will centre on the availability and progress of key injured players as the team looks to bounce back from its derby defeat by Atlético Madrid.
Focus on injured stars
The biggest question marks surround Federico Valverde, Ibrahima Konaté and Kylian Mbappé. All three have been working through recovery programmes, and their involvement whether full group sessions or partial work will offer the clearest indication of whether they can be involved against Villarreal on 10 October (21:00 CEST).
Mbappé and Konaté both picked up knee issues while away with France and are targeting a return around the two-week mark. Valverde has been recovering from an ankle sprain sustained in the derby. Their potential availability would provide a significant boost for a side that has operated with a heavily reduced first-team group during the international window.
Gradual return of internationals
Mourinho will also monitor which players who have completed their national-team duties can rejoin sessions this week. The FIFA window ends on 6 October, meaning a number of senior players are expected to filter back into the group in the coming days.
Throughout the break the available contingent — including goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin, plus outfield options such as Antonio Rüdiger, Álvaro Carreras and Aurélien Tchouaméni has trained with support from academy players. Éder Militão has been a positive note, gradually integrating into group work as he advances his long-term recovery, though he is not expected to be ready for the Villarreal fixture.
Context ahead of the Bernabéu return
Real Madrid head into the game fourth in La Liga, six points behind leaders Barcelona, after slipping to defeat in the Madrid derby before the international pause. Villarreal will provide a stern test as Mourinho’s side aims to regain momentum at home.
The coming days of training will be crucial in determining the strength of the squad available for what is effectively the restart of the domestic campaign. Any positive updates on the injured trio would lift the mood significantly at Valdebebas as focus shifts fully back to club football.
