Three-week international break a concern - Mourinho

What the report says

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has said the upcoming three-week international break is a concern because it will keep several players away from the club for an extended period. Speaking before Madrid’s La Liga match against Malaga, he said the length of the break is especially difficult when players are called up by their countries but do not get much match action, and he warned that injuries can sometimes follow these periods.

BBC Sport reports that the break comes as part of changes to the international calendar for the 2026-27 season, when the usual October window will be removed and countries will play four matches during a longer gap in late September and early October. The scheduling shift is linked to the later timing of the 2026 World Cup final, as well as player welfare and travel considerations, according to the report.

Mourinho also noted that some of his squad, including Jude Bellingham, Marc Cucurella and Kylian Mbappe, have already had a demanding summer after the World Cup. He said Real Madrid are trying to manage workloads to reduce injury risk. In the same news conference, he praised Bellingham’s all-round contribution and also discussed the Ballon d’Or, arguing that the award should reflect a player’s lasting influence rather than simply team trophies such as the Champions League or World Cup.