Vinícius Júnior Returns to Valdebebas for Medicals Under José Mourinho

Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior reported to the Blua Sanitas Valdebebas Hospital on Monday morning to begin pre-season preparations following his World Cup campaign with Brazil.

Vinícius Júnior arrived at the Valdebebas training complex at 06:57 AM ET on Monday, August 3, 2026, to undergo mandatory medical examinations. The Brazilian international was joined by teammate Brahim Díaz as both players concluded their post-World Cup holidays to begin work under the supervision of José Mourinho. This session represents the first time the 26-year-old forward has trained under the Portuguese manager during his second tenure at the Santiago Bernabéu. The medical staff at Blua Sanitas Valdebebas Hospital cleared both athletes for physical activity following a series of diagnostic tests and fitness assessments conducted early in the morning.

Key details

Real Madrid enters this week following a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina in their most recent pre-season exhibition held on Saturday. During that fixture, young striker Endrick managed to find the back of the net, providing a glimpse of the club's attacking depth while senior stars were still away on leave. The first-team squad is now preparing for a flight to Budapest, where they are scheduled to face Ferencvaros this coming Saturday. Mourinho is expected to integrate the returning World Cup participants into the tactical drills immediately to ensure they are match-fit for the trip to Hungary.

Off the pitch, the club's hierarchy is navigating a complex contractual situation involving the Brazilian winger, who has exactly one year remaining on his current deal. Reports surfacing on Friday suggested that the LaLiga giants are prepared to sanction a summer sale if a renewal agreement is not finalized shortly. Despite the urgency of the situation, no specific date has been set for a formal meeting between the player’s representatives and the Madrid board. This lack of progress has fueled speculation regarding a potential exit before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

Latest developments

Arsenal has emerged as a primary suitor for the forward, with the London-based club believing they hold a significant advantage in negotiations should a transfer become inevitable. Gunners manager Mikel Arteta was questioned about the possibility of signing the Madrid star during a press conference on Saturday, though he chose to remain silent on the matter. Internal sources indicate that Arteta is personally involved in trying to persuade the player that a move to the Premier League would be the ideal next step for his career. The Gunners are monitoring the lack of contract talks in Spain with high interest as they look to bolster their offensive options.

While the focus remains on the training ground, the club also released a statement expressing gratitude toward UEFA for their role in protecting the traditional structure of football. This public message followed FIFA's decision to scrap a controversial private equity proposal that had caused friction within the sport's governing bodies. In unrelated news, former Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso spoke to the media regarding his current status at Chelsea, remarking that the "scar" from his previous tenure in the Spanish capital has finally healed. These various narratives surround a Madrid camp that is currently in a state of transition under Mourinho’s new tactical regime.

The reintegration of Vinícius Júnior and Brahim Díaz was officially confirmed via the club’s digital platforms on Monday morning, highlighting the successful completion of their medical protocols. The technical staff will now monitor their workload over the next four days before deciding on their involvement in the Ferencvaros match. With the domestic season approaching, the pressure to resolve the contract impasse grows, as the club prefers to avoid the risk of losing a high-value asset on a free transfer next summer. For now, the winger remains a central part of the daily sessions at Valdebebas as the team builds toward their second pre-season friendly.