José Mourinho, back at Real Madrid
on a three-year deal, has fully backed Fede Valverde as the new captain
following Dani Carvajal's departure, with no plans for changes in the 2026/27
season.
Despite Valverde's rocky 2025/26
year—marked by tensions with Xabi Alonso, a training-ground fight with Aurélien
Tchouaméni that sent him to hospital, and Uruguay's early World Cup
exit—Mourinho plans a personal meeting in late July to reset and deploy him as
a midfield mainstay.
