Real Madrid leave Yan Diomande at home for Ferencvaros pre-season test

Jose Mourinho has left new signing Yan Diomande out of Real Madrid’s squad for Saturday’s pre-season match against Ferencvaros at the Groupama Arena in Budapest.

The Ivorian winger did not take part in Real Madrid’s final morning training session before the team’s departure, according to Spanish newspaper Marca. Instead, he was completing the administrative procedures and paperwork linked to his recent move to the club.

Diomande’s omission means his first appearance in a Real Madrid shirt will be delayed. The decision came less than 24 hours after the club officially announced his signing, with the player also arriving in the Spanish capital and beginning his first activities at Real Madrid City in Valdebebas.

Real Madrid are due to leave for Budapest at 16:00 local time on Friday. Mourinho has chosen not to take a risk with one of the club’s most expensive new arrivals, giving Diomande additional time to prepare before making his debut.

The 18-year-old had been expected to follow the example of Carlos Espi, who was included in the squad for the team’s opening pre-season match last week shortly after joining the first-team group.

There is, however, room in the travelling party for several other players who arrived during the current week. Vinicius Junior, Bernardo Silva and Brahim Diaz have all been selected and could make their first appearances for Real Madrid during this pre-season campaign.

Vinicius will attract particular attention as he prepares to play for the first time since extending his contract with Real Madrid until 2032.

Defender Dean Huijsen has also returned to the squad after recovering from the muscle problem that had kept him out. He has resumed full team training, providing a boost to a defence that also needs Antonio Rudiger to regain full fitness.

The squad travelling to Hungary is:

Goalkeepers: Andriy Lunin, Mestre and Navarro.

Defenders: Dean Huijsen, Juan Martinez, Antonio Rudiger, Lamine Fati, Mario Rivas, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Denzel Dumfries and Alvaro Carreras.

Midfielders: Arda Guler, Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, Sestero, Lacosta and Seria.

Forwards: Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior, Yanez, Endrick and Carlos Espi.

Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio and Rodrygo will remain in Madrid. Each player is continuing an individual treatment and rehabilitation programme away from group training.

The match against Ferencvaros will be Real Madrid’s second fixture of the club’s preparations for the new season, but Diomande will have to wait for another opportunity to begin his career with the Spanish side.