Mourinho warns Real Madrid squad of fatigue as internationals loom

José Mourinho, Real Madrid’s head coach, warned on Saturday that his squad is exhausted as the majority of players depart for national team duty, after the club’s 3‑0 victory over Valencia secured an eighth consecutive win in La Liga in the Spanish top flight.

He said the squad is exhausted and risks overwork.

Mourinho noted that the international break falls badly for his team.

With matches scheduled every three days, his players arrive at national team camps fatigued.

"I am worried about the international break because, if the players stayed with me and my staff, we could give them special attention for recovery, but they will be with their national teams," he said.

He appealed directly to the various national team coaches.

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"I have never coached a national team, but I imagine their coaches want to work, and these players cannot work now," Mourinho added.

"They need to rest to be able to play later with their national teams. These players need a lot of attention during their recovery," he continued.

Mourinho admitted he would be a nuisance for clubs if he ever became a national team coach, saying he would think only of his own team and would not even call his friend Carlo Ancelotti.

He also sent a message to former Real Madrid boss Zinédine Zidane, urging him to consider the fatigue of players such as Kylian Mbappé, Ibrahima Konaté, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni.

"Look who is with him: Vinicius, who should play, and Endrick. If Carlo plays him, I am grateful. It is not Carlo’s entourage that worries me, but I do not think they appreciate seeing a player injured because of overwork. They must be professional regarding recovery," he said.

Mourinho said an answer to his concerns will be given on Thursday during France’s trip to Italy for the fifth Nations League match at 20:45.