Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has voiced significant concern regarding the potential ramifications of the September three-week international break, emphasizing the substantial time his players will be absent from their club activities. Speaking prior to Sunday’s home match against Malaga (16:00 BST), Mourinho stated, “The international break does concern me. It’s a considerable amount of time.” He elaborated that he was primarily troubled by the lack of game time for players who will be joining their national teams to participate in international competitions. “Players who will join their national teams to play don’t worry me as much,” he asserted, “It’s the ones who join the national teams and are not really involved that concern me.” Mourinho explained that the club’s focus is on ensuring the wellbeing and travel considerations of the entire squad. He added, “We’ll see how we can go about this and work with the rest of the players. But not having players at my disposal for three weeks is a difficult situation.” The first international break of the 2026-27 men’s football season, scheduled to last a week longer than usual, has been postponed due to the final match of the 2026 World Cup, which will be played on July 19th. FIFA has implemented a five-break cycle during the season, with a traditional October break now absent. In recent years, the organization has utilized five primary international breaks during the season, with March, June, September, October, and November designated as the main periods. However, there is now a three-week gap for international fixtures across late September and early October, when countries will play four matches instead of two. This change is driven by factors including the final match of the World Cup on July 19th, the latest date for a summer World Cup since 1966, and considerations regarding player welfare and travel logistics. Mourinho explained that the club is actively working to manage the workload to mitigate potential injury risks amongst players. He highlighted that numerous players, including Jude Bellingham, Marc Cucurella, and Kylian Mbappe, have recently been demanding attention and are under considerable pressure. The club is employing strategies to reduce this risk. He said, “I totally respect the players’ decisions and I don’t want to dramatise too much, but very often they pick up injuries during those breaks and right after returning from an international break.” The club is prioritizing the wellbeing of its players, and the current gap in fixtures is presenting a significant challenge. Mourinho also expressed his perspective on the Ballon d’Or debate, stating that winning the Champions League or World Cup should not automatically make a player the preferred candidate for individual awards. “It’s a very beautiful thing individually and that enters into the individual history of a certain player,” he said. “I think it’s normal that there are a dozen players of a very high level, of which we have three or four. It is normal that it exists as an ambition.” Mourinho also added that he views the award’s value as being intrinsically linked to a player’s lasting impact on the game. “For me, the Ballon d’Or has to be one of those players that when he finishes playing, we miss for eternity,” he stated. “I miss Maradona, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano, Messi, Zizou, Lothar Matthaus – I miss these people.” He emphasized that the prize should be measured by a player’s long-term contributions to the game. “I think it’s normal that there are a dozen players of a very high level, of which we have three or four. It is normal that it exists as an ambition.” The club is also planning to discuss the impact of the break on the team’s overall strategy, and it is expected that Mourinho will emphasize the importance of maintaining a consistent and well-balanced squad. The current three-week break will conclude on October 27th, following a match against Valencia. BBC Sport and Football Daily are providing comprehensive coverage of the situation. “Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast” and “Get football news sent straight to your phone”.,” , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Watch Related Video
Source: BBC Football
