Endrick cuts break short to impress Mourinho as World Cup pair report back for Real Madrid duty

Endrick and Antonio Rudiger have returned to Real Madrid training after World Cup duty, giving Jose Mourinho a timely boost ahead of the new season.

The Brazilian forward and Germany defender have rejoined the squad at Valdebebas, where they link up with Arda Guler, Federico Valverde and Denzel Dumfries, who had already reported back, according to Spanish newspaper AS.

Their comeback leaves a shrinking group of absentees still to link up with Mourinho’s side. The next wave of returns is expected to include Vinicius Junior, Brahim Diaz, Thibaut Courtois and Bernardo Silva.

Those who went deepest at the World Cup – Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Kylian Mbappe, Ibrahima Konate and Marc Cucurella – are scheduled to join in the second week of August as Real Madrid complete their pre-season build-up.

Medicals passed as Mourinho plans first steps

Endrick and Rudiger have both successfully completed medical tests before integrating into Mourinho’s training sessions and preparing for the remaining warm-up fixtures.

Mourinho’s initial plan is for the pair to focus on regaining match fitness, and the club view these early days of pre-season as essential for building their physical condition after the World Cup.

However, it is considered too soon for either player to feature in Real Madrid’s upcoming friendly against Fiorentina, with the coaching staff reluctant to rush them back into action.

Instead, both are expected to be available for selection on 8 August, when Real Madrid face Ferencvaros in Budapest, a game earmarked as a more realistic point for their first minutes under Mourinho this summer.

Endrick’s prospects rise after Lyon loan

Endrick’s outlook at Real Madrid has improved markedly since his loan move to Olympique Lyonnais in the January transfer window last season.

Under former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, Gonzalo Garcia had been preferred ahead of Endrick, a pecking order that prompted the Brazilian to agree to a mid-season loan in search of regular football.

That decision proved beneficial, with Endrick emerging as one of the standout performers in Ligue 1 during his spell at Lyon, enhancing his reputation and strengthening his case for a more prominent role on his return to Spain.

Early return aimed at securing Mbappe understudy role

The friendly schedule now takes on particular importance for Endrick, who has voluntarily cut short his post-World Cup holiday to start pre-season earlier than required.

Mourinho plans to use him as an alternative to Mbappe in the centre-forward role, believing the Brazilian can be more effective in that position rather than being deployed out wide or in a deeper role.

Endrick is understood to see these weeks as a crucial window to convince Mourinho that he deserves meaningful minutes in the campaign ahead, especially given the competition for attacking places in the Real Madrid squad.

Gonzalo Garcia deal hangs over Endrick’s chances

Endrick’s push for a place comes with the future of Gonzalo Garcia still unresolved. The Spanish forward is expected to join Fulham, but the transfer has not yet been finalised.

Until that move is completed, the lingering presence of the young Spaniard continues to threaten Endrick’s hopes of securing a clear pathway into Mourinho’s plans at Real Madrid.

The outcome of Garcia’s proposed switch to the Premier League, combined with Endrick’s performances in the upcoming friendlies, is likely to have a significant bearing on how central a role the Brazilian will play in Madrid’s season.