Yan Diomande Left Out of Real Madrid's Squad for Budapest
José Mourinho has named his first travelling party of the summer with Real Madrid, and it comes with an early jolt of reality for the club’s record signing. Yan Diomande, unveiled less than a day ago as the new Ivorian jewel in Madrid’s attack, will not board the plane to Budapest.
No debut. Not yet.
Diomande made to wait
Diomande’s absence is not down to fitness or form, but paperwork. As reported by Spanish newspaper Marca, the winger missed the final training session before the trip, staying behind to complete the administrative process of his move. While his new teammates pack for Hungary, he remains in Madrid, tied to offices rather than touchlines.
It means his first call-up is delayed, his first minutes postponed. For a player signed amid fanfare and expectation, it is a quiet, almost bureaucratic beginning.
Mourinho could have rushed him. He chose not to.
The Portuguese coach had previously thrown Carlos Espí straight into the group as soon as the youngster arrived last week. Diomande, though, is a different case: the most expensive signing of the summer, a long-term investment. Mourinho has opted for caution, granting him extra time to settle, train properly, and avoid the chaos of a whirlwind debut.
Big names back on board
While Diomande waits, others step into the spotlight.
The squad leaves for Budapest at 4pm, heading to the Groupama Arena to face Ferencváros in their second pre-season outing, and there are some heavyweight returns on the list. Vinícius Júnior, Bernardo Silva and Brahim Díaz all make the trip after linking up with the team this week. All three are in line to feature for the first time in this pre-season.
All eyes, inevitably, drift to Vinícius.
The Brazilian is set to play his first match since signing a contract extension that ties him to Real Madrid until 2032. His future secured, his status elevated, he now steps back onto the pitch as the face of the next era. A friendly in Budapest is an unglamorous stage for such a storyline, but every new cycle starts somewhere.
Bernardo Silva’s inclusion adds a different kind of intrigue. The Portuguese midfielder, a master of tight spaces and tempo, offers Mourinho fresh tactical possibilities in a midfield already rich with talent. Brahim Díaz, meanwhile, continues his fight for a more prominent role, eager to turn pre-season minutes into a stronger voice in the pecking order.
A defensive boost, a defensive concern
At the back, there is both good news and a reminder of the work still to be done.
Dean Huijsen returns to the squad after a muscle injury that had kept him out. He has rejoined full training and now steps back into the matchday group, a timely reinforcement for a defensive unit that is still not at full strength.
Antonio Rüdiger travels, but the note from Valdebebas is clear: he is still working towards peak condition. His presence on the list is reassuring, his rhythm still a question. For a coach who builds from structure and discipline, getting his back line fully sharp will be one of the key themes of this pre-season.
The travelling squad
Mourinho’s selection mixes established stars, new signings and academy hopefuls, a typical pre-season blend with very specific subplots.
Real Madrid’s squad to face Ferencváros:
- Goalkeepers: Andriy Lunin, Mestre, Navarro.
- Defenders: Dean Huijsen, Juan Martínez, Antonio Rüdiger, Lamine Fati, Mario Rivas, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Denzel Dumfries, Álvaro Carreras.
- Midfielders: Arda Güler, Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, Sистero, Lacosta, Cirilla.
- Forwards: Brahim Díaz, Vinícius Júnior, Yáñez, Endrick, Carlos Espí.
For some, like Vinícius and Bernardo, Budapest is the first step in a long season where expectations are sky-high. For others, such as Huijsen, Endrick and Espí, it is a chance to convince Mourinho they belong in the plans beyond July and August.
And for Yan Diomande, the most expensive signing watching from afar, it is a reminder that at Real Madrid, even the brightest arrivals must sometimes wait their turn.
