José Mourinho’s Real Madrid captaincy plan confirmed

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9 July 2026

New

Real Madrid

head coach José Mourinho has already decided on his first-team captain for the season ahead.

This comes amid confirmation that the Portuguese tactician has no intention of stripping

Federico Valverde

of his duties as dressing room leader in Spain’s capital.

Midfielder Valverde is of course fresh off a campaign which saw his leadership qualities called into serious question by fans and the media alike.

After

falling out

with teammate and engine room partner Aurélien Tchouaméni, the pair were involved in a physical training ground confrontation which ended with Valverde being taken to hospital.

As much culminated in suggestions that the 27-year-old could be stripped of his captaincy, and potentially even sold.

With the latter scenario having already been ruled out by those behind the scenes at Valdebebas, however, the former, it is understood, has now been taken off the table, too.

As per a report from

Marca

‘Mourinho has no intention of stripping Valverde of the captaincy, much less showing him the door. He will be his captain and a key piece in his project.’

Conor Laird – GSFN

Federico Valverde issues first public statement after Uruguay’s early World Cup elimination: ‘I take ownership of this failure’

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Mourinho takes charge of the Valverde case at Real Madrid amid growing captaincy doubts

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