Real Madrid have confirmed an early setback ahead of the 2026/27 season after announcing that defender Raúl Asencio has suffered a muscle injury, making him the first player sidelined during José Mourinho’s second spell in charge of the Spanish giants.
The club released an official medical statement on Thursday confirming the nature of the injury following a series of examinations carried out by the club’s medical staff. While Real Madrid did not provide a specific recovery timetable, the statement made it clear that the player’s return will depend on how well he responds to treatment over the coming weeks.
The official statement read:
“Following tests carried out today by the Real Madrid Medical Services on our player Raúl Asencio, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury to the rectus femoris in his right leg. His recovery will be monitored.”
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the 23-year-old centre-back is expected to be sidelined for between four and six weeks. If that timeline is confirmed, Asencio will miss the remainder of Real Madrid’s pre-season preparations and could also be unavailable for the opening fixtures of the new La Liga campaign.
The injury comes at an unfortunate moment for both the player and the club. Asencio featured in the first half of Real Madrid’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Leganés at Valdebebas earlier this week before being forced off with discomfort. Initial fears were later confirmed by the club’s medical assessment.
Although the injury is not considered long-term, its timing could significantly impact Asencio’s immediate future. The Spanish defender has been linked with a possible departure throughout the summer transfer window as Real Madrid continue to reshape Mourinho’s squad ahead of the new season.
Competition in central defence has intensified following the arrival of French international Ibrahima Konaté, who joined the club on a free transfer after the expiration of his contract with Liverpool. Konaté’s signing has strengthened Mourinho’s defensive options and increased uncertainty surrounding Asencio’s role within the squad.
Several reports in Spain have suggested that Asencio is among the players Real Madrid would be willing to listen to offers for this summer. However, his injury could complicate any potential transfer negotiations, as interested clubs may prefer to wait until he has fully recovered before making a move.
For Mourinho, the setback is an early reminder of the challenges that often accompany pre-season preparations. The Portuguese coach has been working to integrate several new signings while evaluating younger players and fringe squad members ahead of the competitive campaign. Losing a defender, even temporarily, reduces his options during an important period of tactical work and squad assessment.
🚨⚪️ Raúl Asencio suffers muscle injury and will be sidelined, Real Madrid confirm.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 30, 2026
The defender is expected to be out for 6 weeks, @aranchamobile reports. pic.twitter.com/hfPRMYb7nl
Despite the disappointment, there is optimism within the club that Asencio will return before the early stages of the season if his rehabilitation progresses as expected. Real Madrid’s medical staff will closely monitor his recovery, with no unnecessary risks expected to be taken.
For now, the priority remains ensuring the defender makes a full recovery. While the injury is not regarded as serious, it temporarily places his sporting future on hold and could delay any decisions regarding a potential transfer until he is back to full fitness and available for selection once again.
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