Mourinho's Decisions Begin Shaping Real Madrid's Squad

José Mourinho's first squad as Real Madrid head coach did more than reveal the players traveling to Austria to face Fiorentina. It also opened the door to plenty of speculation about the immediate future of several players who were left out of the squad and whose place at the club appears increasingly uncertain.

Every preseason includes absences due to rest, injuries, or fitness management. However, some cases inevitably attract attention because of the circumstances surrounding them. The situations involving Franco Mastantuono, Gonzalo García, and, to a lesser extent, Dean Huijsen, have raised questions about the moves Real Madrid could make before the transfer window closes.

While some players are still expected to return after their World Cup vacations, others appear to be approaching a decisive moment in their careers at the club.

Mastantuono's Situation Points Toward an Imminent Loan Move

The absence generating the most discussion is Franco Mastantuono's. The Argentine made a strong impression during Real Madrid's first preseason matches, starting both games and even finding the back of the net, making his omission all the more surprising.

The decision carries even greater significance considering several regular starters are also unavailable because they are still on vacation following the World Cup. In theory, that situation created an excellent opportunity for the young midfielder to continue earning valuable minutes throughout the preseason.

However, everything points in a different direction. According to reports from the Spanish media, Real Madrid is close to finalizing a loan move to another European club, allowing Mastantuono to gain consistent playing time and valuable experience before returning to compete for a place in the first team.

In recent days, there have also been reports linking the Argentine with a possible return to River Plate, although those rumors appear to have lost momentum as negotiations with clubs across Europe continue to progress.

Gonzalo Also Loses Momentum as He Awaits His Future

Another notable omission is Gonzalo García, whose future also appears to be heading toward a move away from the club.

According to multiple reports, the forward is very close to completing a transfer to Fulham, the club managed by Álvaro Arbeloa. Although the deal has yet to become official, his absence from Mourinho's squad has strengthened the belief that negotiations are already at an advanced stage.

Gonzalo's situation also reflects the fierce competition currently within Real Madrid's attacking unit, where several young talents are battling for opportunities while the arrival of new signings has significantly reduced the available spots.

Huijsen and Other Cases Complete a Squad in Transition

Dean Huijsen's absence also sparked speculation at first, although his situation appears to be very different from those of Mastantuono and Gonzalo. According to available reports, the defender is dealing with minor muscle discomfort in his right leg, and his recovery is not considered a major concern for the coaching staff.

Also absent are Éder Militão, Rodrygo, Raúl Asencio, and Ferland Mendy, who continue working through their respective recovery programs. They are joined by several international stars still enjoying their post-World Cup break, including Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Thibaut Courtois.

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