Real Madrid must watch key players' fitness and form in November break
Real Madrid enter the upcoming November international break at a crucial juncture, with manager Jose Mourinho watching 17 of his squad represent their nations across 20 scheduled matches, while a host of fitness and form issues loom for his key players.
Seventeen Real Madrid players will be involved in twenty matches during the international window. The tally could have risen to eighteen, but Aurelien Tchouameni’s trip was cut short by injury.
Vinicius Jr. heads into the break needing to rediscover his best form for Brazil after a difficult start to the season. He has endured one of his least productive periods in nine seasons at Real Madrid, featuring no goals or assists in the three matches he played while serving a four‑game La Liga suspension. In those 210 minutes against AS Roma, RB Leipzig and AEK Athens, he also failed to complete a successful dribble. Brazil’s November tour of Singapore therefore arrives at an important moment, and Carlo Ancelotti will have the chance to work with the winger again, hoping he regains confidence and attacking sharpness.
Fitness and availability concerns
Kylian Mbappé will miss Thursday’s Nations League meeting with Italy after hamstring discomfort forced France manager Zinedine Zidane to rule him out. The French forward has scored in 13 of his last 15 competitive appearances and totals 67 international goals, making his absence a major concern for Real Madrid. Zidane said he would not take unnecessary risks but hopes Mbappé can return for Sunday’s match with Turkey, where he could face Real Madrid teammate Arda Güler if fit. Real Madrid cannot afford another prolonged absence for their leading goalscorer.
Federico Valverde’s fitness is under the spotlight ahead of Uruguay’s clash with Argentina at La Bombonera on November 14. The midfielder missed the previous international break through injury but has recently delivered influential performances for Real Madrid against AEK Athens and Valencia. Valverde admitted he is not completely fit, though he is pleased to represent his country. Uruguay manager Diego Forlán highlighted his versatility but has not confirmed which midfield role Valverde will occupy in the demanding fixture.
Jude Bellingham has rediscovered form under Mourinho, registering five goals and three assists for Real Madrid during the period. His resurgence has translated into greater influence for England, where he contributed a goal and several assists in the previous international window. November brings a personal milestone as his younger brother Jobe earned his first senior England call‑up after impressing at Borussia Dortmund. The brothers could share the pitch, a significant moment for their family. Bellingham is Real Madrid’s most‑used player when club and international appearances are combined, and Mourinho will need to manage his minutes carefully across England’s fixtures against Croatia and Spain.