Mourinho explains eye bruise as Real Madrid beat Schalke in pre-season

Jose Mourinho has explained that a ball struck him in the face during training after the Real Madrid manager appeared with a bruise around his eye during the club’s 3-0 friendly victory over Schalke.

The match was part of Real Madrid’s preparations for the 2026-27 season, with Mourinho saying the performance provided a useful final test before the competitive campaign begins.

Speaking to the club’s television channel, Mourinho said: “The match was positive on a collective and individual level. The new arrivals do not have the same intensity yet, and there is a difference in rhythm. The players who arrived early have completed 30 training sessions, while those who arrived recently have completed only four. It was a very good test before the serious work begins.”

Real Madrid’s victory over Schalke was secured by three goals, although Mourinho acknowledged that the squad is at different stages of preparation because players joined the group at varying times.

Some members of the team reported for duty early in pre-season, while others arrived shortly before the friendly. Mourinho said that difference was reflected in their physical sharpness, but insisted the squad had reached an encouraging level ahead of the opening fixtures.

The Portuguese added that it was difficult to assess the players individually at this stage, saying: “It is difficult to talk about the players individually. Here we have only good players, very good players and very, very, very, very good players.”

Mourinho also expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall condition and the mood within the group as Real Madrid build towards the start of the season.

“We have reached a very good and acceptable condition before the start,” he said. “We are all excited and, more importantly, the players are here and they are showing that they are ready. Some arrived early and some arrived on the last day.”

The manager was also asked about the mark around his eye, which had been visible during the meeting with Schalke.

“The bruise in my eye? I was hit in the face by a ball during training. If I had not been wearing glasses, perhaps it would not have happened at all. Things could have been worse,” Mourinho said.

Real Madrid are preparing to face Espanyol in the second round of La Liga next Saturday. Their opening league match against Real Sociedad was postponed, meaning the meeting with Espanyol will be their first scheduled league fixture of the new campaign.

The friendly win over Schalke therefore offered Mourinho an opportunity to assess his players in match conditions before the competitive action begins, while also giving recent arrivals more time to adapt to the team’s demands and training rhythm.