Real Madrid lose defender Raul Asencio to muscle injury in early setback for Mourinho

Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio is expected to miss the start of the new season after suffering a right thigh injury that rules him out for several weeks, delivering an early fitness blow to new head coach Jose Mourinho.

The Spanish club confirmed in an official medical update that Asencio has sustained a muscle problem in the rectus femoris of his right leg, making him the first player sidelined during Mourinho’s tenure.

Real Madrid said Asencio’s return date will depend on how he responds to treatment and how the injury evolves, adding that his condition is being closely monitored.

The statement read: “After the tests carried out by Real Madrid’s medical services on our player Raul Asencio, he has been diagnosed with a muscular injury in the rectus femoris muscle of the right leg, and his condition is being monitored.”

Spanish newspaper Marca reported that the young defender is likely to be out for between four and six weeks. That timeframe would rule him out of the remainder of Real Madrid’s pre-season schedule and leave him in a race to be fit for the opening rounds of La Liga.

Asencio was injured after starting Real Madrid’s recent friendly against Leganes in Valdebebas on Tuesday. He played the first half of the match before being forced off with the problem that subsequent tests confirmed as a muscle injury.

Impact on pre-season and transfer plans

The timing of the setback complicates Mourinho’s preparations as he looks to shape his defensive options ahead of his first competitive matches in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The injury also arrives amid uncertainty over Asencio’s future at the club. Reports in Spain have suggested the defender is among the players who could be allowed to leave during the summer transfer window.

Those suggestions have intensified following Real Madrid’s signing of France defender Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer after the expiry of his contract with Liverpool. Konate’s arrival adds further competition for places in Mourinho’s back line.

While Asencio’s injury is not regarded as serious, the enforced absence threatens to delay any final decision on his next move. Clubs assessing a potential deal are likely to wait until he has recovered fully and returned to training before stepping up their interest.

With Real Madrid still in the early stages of their preparations for the new campaign, Mourinho will now have to continue pre-season without the option of using Asencio, both in friendlies and in tactical work on the training ground, as the Portuguese coach seeks to settle on his defensive structure ahead of the league kick-off.