Brahim Diaz starts for Real Madrid against Inter in Champions League opener

Real Madrid have named Brahim Diaz in their starting XI for Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League league-phase meeting with Inter Milan at Santiago Bernabeu, with the Morocco international selected for one of the first major European games of the campaign.

Diaz will operate in the attacking three behind Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius, with Jude Bellingham alongside him in the forward line. His role will be central to Real Madrid’s creative play as they look to break down an Inter defence that includes several established players.

The official teams were confirmed ahead of the match on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, which marks the opening of the league phase of the competition.

Thibaut Courtois starts in goal for Real Madrid. The defensive line is made up of Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Federico Valverde have been selected in midfield, while Diaz, Bellingham and Vinicius support Mbappe in attack.

Real Madrid’s starting XI is therefore:

Real Madrid: Courtois; Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Alexander-Arnold, Valverde; Diaz, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe.

Inter Milan also field a strong side for the contest in Madrid. Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez are named in attack, while the midfield includes Andy Diouf, Carlos Augusto, Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu.

The Italian side’s listed team is:

Inter Milan: Martinez; Benjamin Pavard, Yann Bisseck, Alessandro Bastoni, Carlos Augusto; Diouf, Curtis Jones, Calhanoglu, Barella; Thuram, Lautaro Martinez.

The teams meet at Santiago Bernabeu, where Real Madrid will begin their league-phase campaign with Diaz handed a starting position in the attacking unit.

Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 local time in Madrid, or 19:00 GMT.