José Mourinho Leaves Yan Diomande Behind as Real Madrid Heads to Budapest
Yan Diomande will have to wait.
Real Madrid’s most expensive signing has been left out of Mourinho’s squad for the second game of pre-season, away to Ferencváros at the Groupama Arena on Saturday, and will not travel to Budapest.
The Ivorian winger, officially unveiled less than 24 hours ago, missed the team’s final morning session before departure. As reported by Spanish newspaper Marca, he spent the time tied up in the last round of administrative work and paperwork linked to his move to the club. The result: no first call-up, no debut. Not yet.
Mourinho’s squad departed for the Hungarian capital at 4pm, with Diomande staying back in Madrid to continue settling in after his first steps at Valdebebas. The club had only just welcomed him to the city, posed him in white, and sent him out onto the training pitches. The football will have to wait a few more days.
The original plan had hinted at a quicker integration. Diomande looked ready to mirror the path of Carlos Espí, who joined the group the moment he arrived last week and immediately made himself available. Mourinho, though, has gone the other way with his marquee arrival. Caution over rush. A little more time to prepare, to train, to understand the demands before being thrown into match action.
While the new star man sits this one out, several heavyweights are back in the frame. Vinícius Júnior, Bernardo Silva and Brahim Díaz all make the trip and could feature for the first time this pre-season after linking up with the squad during the week.
All eyes inevitably drift to Vinícius. The Brazilian is set to play his first minutes since signing a contract extension that ties him to the club until 2032, a statement deal for a player expected to carry Madrid’s attack for the next decade. Budapest could see the first step of that new era.
There is positive news in defence as well. Dean Huijsen returns to the squad after recovering from the muscle injury that had kept him out and is now training normally with the group. His presence offers a timely boost to a back line still waiting for Antonio Rüdiger to reach full fitness and rhythm.
Mourinho’s list blends established stars, returning figures and academy faces, with the right flank particularly eye-catching thanks to the inclusion of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries, while youngsters continue to jostle for the coach’s attention across the pitch.
Real Madrid 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.
The plane has left without Yan Diomande. His debut now moves from immediate expectation to looming promise – and when it finally comes, the spotlight will be even harsher.
