Jose Mourinho held his first press conference as Real Madrid head coach on August 21, 2026, ahead of the club’s LaLiga opener against Espanyol at RCDE Stadium tomorrow evening [1, 2, 3, 4]. Mourinho emphasized the team’s commitment, collective responsibility, and competition within the squad. He rejected the idea that the club feels pressure, instead describing the mood as "adrenaline" and anticipation. "I wouldn't say the feeling here is pressure... It's more like adrenaline. Which is positive, that pump. I don't feel pressure," he said, citing confidence in the players’ hunger and commitment [1].
Mourinho said he wants players who work harder to earn their spots and accepts making tough selection decisions. He stressed that player ambition must be secondary to the team, saying, "What we need is to not negotiate things that are non-negotiable. Commitment is mandatory. The team must go ahead of personal feelings" [1, 2]. He acknowledged the challenge of fitting star players Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr into the starting lineup but expressed confidence in having a great season [1, 2].
The coach referenced forward Yan Diomande's comment about players willing to "die" for the club and said he likes the expression as it reflects commitment. "I would like him to die for the group, for Real Madrid. But I know what he means in relation to the tasks and the club when he uses my name. Words are easy. It is more difficult to take action," Mourinho said [3].
Regarding squad fitness, Mourinho confirmed two injury-related absences for the Espanyol match. Brazilian forward Endrick will miss the game due to a minor muscle injury, while midfielder Tchouameni might be called up but will not start as he needs more time to regain rhythm. Mourinho assured that despite not signing Rodri, who moved to Barcelona, Real Madrid does not have a midfield deficit, citing existing midfielders Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde, Bernardo, and Arda as sufficient for the season. "I don’t think we have a deficit in midfield," he stated [4].
Real Madrid faces Espanyol on August 22, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 21:30 local time at RCDE Stadium [3, 4].
