Real Madrid midfield mainstay ruled out of 2026/27 La Liga opener vs Espanyol

Real Madrid midfield mainstay ruled out of 2026/27 La Liga opener vs Espanyol Real Madrid’s final training session before the start of their 2026/27 La Liga campaign brought confirmation of an important absence. Aurelien Tchouameni will not feature when Jose Mourinho’s side travel to Barcelona to face Espanyol.  The French midfielder has returned to training with his teammates, but Real Madrid have decided against rushing him back into competitive action. According to AS , Tchouameni is among several players unavailable for Mourinho’s first La Liga match in charge.  The decision comes despite earlier optimism that the midfielder could recover in time for the season opener. Instead, Real Madrid are taking a cautious approach as they prepare for a demanding run of three league matches in just eight days. Tchouameni trains but Mourinho refuses to rush Tchouameni’s absence is particularly notable because he has trained at the same pace as the rest of the Real Madrid squad this week. However, Mourinho had already made his position clear during his pre-match press conference.  Aurelien Tchouameni will miss the Espanyol game. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images) The Real Madrid manager confirmed that while the Frenchman is no longer dealing with a major problem, his current physical condition does not allow him to be considered for the Espanyol game. “The only player who is out for this match who wasn’t here last season is Endrick.  “Tchouameni is fine, but he needs to train this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to accelerate his recovery. He arrived in a condition that won’t allow him to be fully fit for this match.” Tchouameni’s preparation has been different from that of several of his teammates. After returning from the World Cup, the French midfielder initially followed an individual training programme instead of joining Real Madrid’s full pre-season work immediately.  As a result, he did not play a single minute during the club’s summer preparations. That lack of match action appears to be the main reason Mourinho is unwilling to throw him straight into the intensity of a competitive La Liga fixture. The situation is therefore not necessarily a major setback or a fresh injury concern.  Tchouameni is not injured, just not match fit. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images) Rather, it is a matter of ensuring that Tchouameni reaches the required physical level before returning to Mourinho’s matchday plans. Real Madrid face Espanyol with several players unavailable Tchouameni is not the only player missing from the Real Madrid squad, as Mourinho will also be without Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy, who have remained unavailable since last season. Meanwhile, Thiago Pitarch, Endrick and Raul Asensio are also continuing their respective recoveries and will not be involved against Espanyol. The number of absences means Mourinho will begin his Real Madrid tenure without several established first-team options.  However, Tchouameni’s situation stands apart because he has already resumed full training and could be edging closer to a return. Real Madrid are facing a packed opening schedule, with three La Liga matches scheduled within eight days.  Two of those games will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the quick turnaround means Mourinho will need to manage his squad carefully.