José Mourinho marks Real Madrid return with late drama and touch of humility

The old master is back at Madrid as he begins with celebrations, frustrations and relief in a 2-1 win at Espanyol José Mourinho says he is calmer now so when the rest of the bench emptied, sprinting down the touchline to celebrate the 90th-minute goal that finally delivered victory on his first game in charge of Real Madrid in 4,380 days, he did not set off with them. Instead, he clenched his fists, got to his feet and walked down the touchline behind the subs, watching them head, shouting, towards Carlos Espí. As they piled on down in the corner, he pulled over his captain Fede Valverde for a word. Which might just have been: phew. For all those stars; for all that Mourinho’s main task might just have been to find a way to fit Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham together; for all that he had introduced Yan Diomande, the most expensive player in the club’s history, it was a 21-year-old, unknown six months ago and unexpectedly signed from Levante, who got the goal that secured victory upon the coach’s second coming. Continue reading...

LVT RMA ESP Jude Bellingham Kylian Mbappe Vinicius Junior

José Mourinho marks Real Madrid return with late drama and touch of humility

News Angle·News

Jude Bellingham

22 · CM · Real Madrid

Position

CM / CAM

Nation

England

SOURCE

The Guardian

Published by The Guardian · 22 August 2026 at 23:21 UTC

AI-assisted · generated from The Guardian reporting, not editor reviewed

Story Profile

José Mourinho marks Real Madrid return with late drama and touch of humility

José Mourinho marks Real Madrid return with late drama and touch of humility

Why Real Madrid spent big to sign Yan Diomande, and how he'll fit into attack

Mbappé, Viní Jr, Bellingham can fit - Mourinho

Mbappé defends work rate, talks up Ballon d'Or

Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Mbappe not incompatible - Mourinho

Mbappé, Bellingham: Mou knows how to win

Tuchel: Bellingham is better when he plays with a 'bit of rage'

Why Real Madrid spent big to sign Yan Diomande, and how he'll fit into attack

Mbappé, Viní Jr, Bellingham can fit - Mourinho

Mbappé defends work rate, talks up Ballon d'Or

Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Mbappe not incompatible - Mourinho

Mbappé, Bellingham: Mou knows how to win

Tuchel: Bellingham is better when he plays with a 'bit of rage'