Mourinho Supports Zidane's Decision on Tchouameni's Omission

José Mourinho has drawn a clear line around Real Madrid’s role in Aurélien Tchouameni’s surprise omission from Zinedine Zidane’s first France squad – and he’s more than happy with the outcome.

Tchouameni, hampered by a persistent groin problem, has barely featured this season. Three appearances, one start, and that in a chaotic 3-2 defeat to Elche, tell the story of a campaign stuck in first gear. Zidane’s decision to leave him out of France’s upcoming four matches raised eyebrows, but the Real Madrid coach insists the call was made far from the Bernabéu offices.

Speaking on Saturday ahead of the Madrid derby, Mourinho moved quickly to shut down any talk of club pressure on the national team.

“I had no influence on the decision. I didn't call Zidane and Zidane didn't call me. It took me by surprise,” he said, before pointing the spotlight firmly on the player and his national coach. “They (Zidane and Tchouameni) discussed and agreed that the best thing for him was to use this break to do the pre-season he couldn't do.”

That missed pre-season has hung over Tchouameni’s year. Mourinho has been forced to ration his minutes, wary of pushing a player whose fitness base never truly formed. The groin injury has lingered, limiting his rhythm and denying him the chance to cement a place in Madrid’s midfield.

Now comes a rare gift in a packed calendar: time.

Mourinho stressed that this international window, usually a headache for club managers, has turned into an unexpected advantage for Real Madrid. No travel, no high-intensity national team games, no risk of setbacks.

Tchouameni, instead, gets a tailored mini pre-season.

Mourinho framed the agreement as a win for everyone involved. France keep a player Zidane “let him know that he was counting on… for the future,” while Madrid get a cleaner runway for his recovery.

“They agreed on this decision which, for us, is a privilege,” Mourinho added. “Because after the derby, he will have his days off and will be able to come back stronger.”

The calendar helps. Once the dust settles on Sunday’s derby, Real Madrid do not play again until October 10, when they face Villarreal. Four days later comes a Champions League tie against Roma. Between those fixtures lies the window Tchouameni has been waiting for since August.

• Rest.
• Rehab.
• Work.

If the plan holds and the groin problem finally loosens its grip, this quiet spell could flip his season. Mourinho has made it clear he sees the midfielder as a long-term pillar. Now Tchouameni has the chance to arrive on the other side of the break not as a fringe figure chasing fitness, but as a genuine contender to lock down a starting spot when Villarreal and Roma come calling.