Mourinho fears international break could disrupt Real Madrid’s winning run

Jose Mourinho has warned that Real Madrid’s players could face further fatigue or injury when they leave the club for international duty, despite their need for rest and recovery.

Real Madrid head into the forthcoming international break in high spirits after winning eight consecutive matches. However, Mourinho is concerned that the demands placed on his squad by their national teams could undermine their physical recovery.

The Portuguese manager spoke after Real Madrid’s victory over Valencia at Mestalla, making clear that the players’ departure had become a major concern.

“I am telling you now that I am worried about the international break,” Mourinho said. “If the players stay with me and my staff, we will be able to give them excellent care during their recovery period. But they will be with their national teams.”

Mourinho also appealed to the coaches of the national sides involved, asking them to take the physical condition of Real Madrid’s players into account and avoid placing additional demands on them.

“I have never coached a national team, but I understand their coaches’ desire to work,” he said. “These players cannot work now; they need to rest so that they can play for their national teams later.”

The Real Madrid manager said he understood that international coaches would naturally put the interests of their own teams first. He added that he did not intend to contact any of them personally.

“I do not want to call anyone, not even my friend Carlo,” Mourinho said, referring to Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Brazil.

Mourinho was discussing the players selected for Brazil, including Vinicius Junior and Endrick. He said his concern was not specifically about how Ancelotti would manage the pair, but about the possibility of them suffering fatigue-related injuries.

He insisted that national teams should deal professionally with players’ recovery programmes and ensure that their workloads were appropriate after a demanding period for Real Madrid.

The club’s next listed La Liga fixture is against Celta Vigo on 21 November 2026. Mourinho hopes his squad can return from the international commitments without further problems and maintain the momentum created by their winning sequence.

“Let us hope that luck is on our side,” he said.