Real Madrid leave Ferland Mendy’s future in his own hands as recovery gathers pace

Ferland Mendy is expected to resume training with the Real Madrid squad in September, but the club has no intention of pressuring the France left-back into leaving despite concerns over his injury record.

Mendy is continuing his recovery from a torn hamstring, with the rehabilitation process reportedly progressing well. He underwent surgery in May after suffering the injury, and reports at the time suggested he could be out for as long as a year.

However, people close to the player have firmly rejected that prognosis. Real Madrid adopted a more cautious position, saying Mendy was likely to be unavailable for between four and five months.

According to Spanish newspaper As, Mendy will return to Real Madrid when he is fit because his contract with the club runs until the summer of 2028.

Real Madrid have strengthened their options at left-back. Alvaro Carreras was signed last summer, while Marc Cucurella arrived this summer. Fran Garcia, meanwhile, has departed for Real Betis.

The situation surrounding Mendy is understood to be driven more by his physical condition than his performances. Real Madrid recognise that, when fully fit, he provides considerable defensive security. His importance to the team was underlined by the fact that he played a significant role in the club’s most recent two Champions League triumphs.

There are currently three left-backs at Real Madrid, meaning Mendy would have been the club’s first choice to leave had a departure been pursued. Despite that, the club has not contacted him to ask him to negotiate an exit or encouraged him to find another team.

Real Madrid also recognise that it would be difficult for Mendy to secure a new club at present, given his injury history and the fact that he is currently injured and unavailable.

If Mendy tells Real Madrid that he wants to open discussions about leaving, the club would respond to that request. However, the Spanish club will not put pressure on the Frenchman and intends to respect the contract signed by both parties.

Mendy himself has no plans to leave Real Madrid, according to information obtained by As. The defender remains happy at the Santiago Bernabeu despite the long sequence of injuries he has suffered in recent years.

He believes that, if he can regain physical stability, he will be capable of convincing Mourinho that he can still make an important contribution during parts of the season.

Mendy’s main strength is his defensive work, an attribute that is particularly valued by Mourinho, especially in matches against direct rivals. The Frenchman was already able to establish himself in the starting XI for important games last season and wants to reach the same level again.

His immediate priority is therefore to complete his rehabilitation and return to group training. While Real Madrid’s increased competition at left-back has created uncertainty over the squad structure, the club is not seeking to force Mendy out and will allow the player’s recovery and preference to shape what happens next.