Jose Mourinho turns Real Madrid squad crisis into La Fabrica talent search

Jose Mourinho has used Real Madrid’s academy to strengthen his options during a difficult pre-season, with Juan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Alexis Ciria and Kasterio emerging as the most impressive prospects.

When Mourinho began work at Real Madrid 36 days ago, on 13 July, only six fit members of the first-team squad were available to him: Andriy Lunin, Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alvaro Carreras and Eduardo Camavinga.

The shortage forced the Portuguese manager to look within the club, and a large number of academy players were given opportunities to train and play alongside the senior squad. Several of them made a strong impression during the preparations, according to a report by Spanish newspaper AS.

Mourinho used 13 players from Real Madrid’s academy in the four matches played during the club’s European tour across the final two weeks of pre-season.

Some were restricted to brief appearances or peripheral roles. That group included Mestre, Javi Navarro, David Fortea, Aimar and Jacobo, who has recently moved to Strasbourg.

Others, including Lamini Fati, Lacosta, Yanez and goalkeeper Ilya Voloshin, were given limited minutes. Voloshin was introduced late in the match against Schalke.

However, the players who attracted the greatest attention were centre-backs Martinez and Rivas, winger Ciria and midfielder Kasterio.

Martinez and Rivas make their case

Martinez, who turns 19 on Thursday, and 18-year-old Rivas began pre-season together after Mourinho selected them as his central-defensive pairing for the friendly against Fiorentina.

The manager praised the teenagers after their performance, saying: “They are two children with a wonderful future, and as long as the game did not become physical, they showed an astonishing level of quality.”

Mourinho again trusted the pair in the first half of the meeting with Ferencvaros, before Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rudiger replaced them.

Rivas also featured in the second half against Deportivo alongside Spain international Rudiger, and was given the final four minutes against Schalke.

He added a further highlight by scoring the opening goal against Ferencvaros, demonstrating that his involvement was not simply a way of filling gaps in the squad during pre-season.

Ciria offers attacking threat

Ciria, an 18-year-old left winger, appeared in all four friendlies. He started two matches and came off the bench in the other two.

His performances were notable for their directness and confidence. Ciria repeatedly attacked the opposition goal and showed a willingness to take responsibility in the final third.

He scored against Fiorentina and provided an assist in the training match against Leganes, further enhancing his reputation within Mourinho’s coaching staff.

The teenager has now become one of the academy players to leave the clearest positive impression during the preparation period.

Kasterio is the most experienced member of the group at 20. He has already fulfilled his ambition of making an official first-team appearance, having done so last season.

Mourinho used him in all four friendly matches as an option to refresh the midfield. Kasterio responded by displaying confidence and a strong personality during the minutes he received.

For Martinez, Rivas and Ciria, the next step is to make their competitive debut for Real Madrid.

With Mourinho still likely to require additional solutions during the season, the path from La Fabrica to the first team appears open. Pre-season has shown that the academy can offer more than temporary cover for a depleted squad, with several players now presenting themselves as genuine options for the Portuguese manager.