According to Marca , Real Madrid's defense has been plagued by injuries for two seasons, putting Mourinho at a disadvantage before the start of the new season.
In recent seasons, the center-back position has become a clear weakness for Real Madrid, and this crisis began to worsen in the 2024-2025 season when the club lost three of its most important defensive players in a short period of time.
Brazilian center-back Militao was the first to suffer an injury, torn cruciate ligament and meniscus tear in his knee in November 2024. Towards the end of the season, Alaba and Rüdiger also went down with meniscus tears in their left knees, only a few days apart.
These injuries nearly crumbled Real Madrid's defensive options. Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti was forced to make temporary adjustments, using Zapatie Nicholas as a makeshift center-back in stages, while promoting Castilla's young player Raul Asensio and giving opportunities to the young Jakovo Ramon.
However, despite the club's efforts to improve the situation with its medical team, the crisis remained unresolved into the next season. Real Madrid appointed Nico Mišić as their new medical director in early January, but Alonso left the team a few days later.
Even so, the defensive problems persist. Militao suffered another injury, a severe tear in his hamstring, requiring surgery, and he is still recovering.
Alaba also suffered multiple relapses of his calf problems, while Rüdiger was absent for two months due to muscle pain and knee issues, and even went to London for specialist treatment.
The German defender subsequently underwent a rehabilitation program that included injections and meticulous physical training. Upon returning to the pitch, his physical condition will still require careful management, and he cannot be forced to play too many consecutive matches.
New signing De Gea Sen also couldn't shake off the effects of injury, with physical problems causing him to miss 13 games in his first season with Real Madrid.
This crisis has also impacted Mourinho's new plans to manage Real Madrid. The Portuguese coach discovered before his first friendly against Fiorentina that he had no healthy first-team center-backs available.
Konaté has not yet returned to the team. He had a break after participating in the World Cup and is expected to return on Sunday. Rüdiger only returned a few days ago and still needs to regain his match fitness.
As for Militao, he is still in a long recovery process and is expected to be back in action in a few more months.
In this situation, Mourinho can only rely on the young duo of Lamin Fati and Jon Martinez to anchor the defense. The two played together for Castilla in the promotion playoffs last season.
This also gave the young duo a chance to prove themselves, but it also exposed how serious Real Madrid's crisis was in this position, and the club's urgent need for a strong center-back.
According to the Spanish newspaper Marca, in light of the current situation, Mourinho has asked Real Madrid's management to bring in a new center-back.
The report revealed that the Portuguese coach has believed since arriving in Madrid that the center-back position needs a high-level player to strengthen, especially given the current players' uncertain physical condition.
However, in order to complete the new signings, someone must leave the team first, and Raul Asensio has therefore become the player most likely to leave this summer.
Real Madrid are looking to sell Marco Asensio to free up squad space and raise funds to sign a world-class center-back. While his recent injury may impact the timeline, it is not expected to significantly alter the club's plans.
August will be a crucial month for this deal, as the future of Real Madrid's defense depends on whether the club can end this crisis that has lasted for more than two years and stabilize this injury-plagued position.
