Managing Madrid
Dominating European football since March 6th 1902
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Enrick not ruling out January loan options—report
Real Madrid’s Brazilian prodigy Endrick remains undecided on a January loan, with AS journalist Marco Ruiz citing interest from Roma and AC Milan. While Mourinho publicly rejects any move, insisting Endrick doesn’t need a loan and should thrive at the Bernabeu, the coach reportedly won’t block a departure if the forward chooses it. Roma’s summer pursuit was halted by Mourinho, and Milan now emerge as the latest suitor. Endrick says he will weigh his playing‑time prospects at Madrid before deciding as the winter window looms.
Mbappé missed out on the Ballon D’Or by only 28 points
Kylian Mbappé missed the 2026 Ballon d’Or by a razor‑thin margin of 28 points, finishing with 1,027 to Harry Kane’s 1,055. Kane’s 40 first‑place votes outpaced Mbappé’s 23, delivering the fourth‑closest top‑two finish ever. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal took third (881 points), while Real Madrid’s other stars lagged: Jude Bellingham 11th (107 points), Vinícius Júnior 17th (26 points). Rodri placed fourth, ahead of Lionel Messi, and Kane became the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001.
Vinicius and Endrick make Brazil’s list for the next FIFA break
Coach Carlo Ancelotti drops Vinícius Júnior and teenage prodigy Endrick into Brazil’s November FIFA‑break squad for friendlies against Japan (Nov 14) and Singapore (Nov 17). Meanwhile, Real Madrid centre‑back Éder Militao remains in Madrid to rebuild fitness after a hamstring setback that sidelined him from preseason. Los Blancos aim to maintain momentum ahead of the break with away fixtures versus Racing Santander, AEK Athens and Valencia, underscoring the need to stay sharp away from the Bernabéu.
DAILY THREAD | Oct 30, 2026
Managing Madrid’s Daily Thread recaps Real Madrid’s recent triumph over Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou on October 25, 2026, featuring a celebration with coach José Mourinho and goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. The post looks ahead to an upcoming LaLiga away clash with Racing Santander, recalling the last meeting in February 2012 that ended 4‑0 to Madrid. It highlights Lunin’s status as a world‑class keeper, Vini Jr.’s intense daily training and scientific recovery work, and anticipates a tactical shift from Mourinho. Moderators and fans are thanked for keeping the forum lively.
Madrid Daily: China fallout expands, Brazil’s call-ups and the latest ahead of Racing
Chinese fallout from Kylian Mbappé's Mao meme spreads to video games as FC Online and Konami's eFootball strip his content from their Chinese editions. The controversy also forces the termination of his local sponsorships and prompts a delayed apology from Real Madrid, which Chinese media criticize for being superficial. Meanwhile, Real Madrid gears up for its November 1 match at Racing Santander, with Arda Güler and Fede Valverde completing individual training sessions and Ancelotti announcing Brazil call‑ups for Vinícius Júnior and Endrick while omitting Éder Militão.
Police identify Barcelona fan who assaulted Real Madrid players during El Clásico
A Barcelona supporter is being fined heavily and banned from Camp Nou after allegedly striking Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and other players with a flagpole during the El Clásico on October 29, 2026. Catalan police, aided by FC Barcelona, identified the fan from the Grada 1957 supporters' group. LaLiga filed a complaint, praised the club’s cooperation, and will refer the case to Barcelona’s Disciplinary Committee, which could face its own sanctions.
Henry praises Bellingham: “What he did in El Clásico was just a joke”
In his Betway Insider column, Arsenal great Thierry Henry lauds Real Madrid’s El Clásico win, singling out Jude Bellingham’s performance as “just a joke” — a nod to his dynamic play that reminded Henry of England’s display in Mexico. Henry also notes Kylian Mbappé’s brace and Man of the Match award, while praising Mourinho’s decisive tactics that keep the La Liga title race open despite a nine‑point gap. He highlights Barcelona’s early dominance, their recent loss to PSG, and the unpredictable nature of the championship race.
DAILY THREAD | Oct 29, 2026
Real Madrid’s Oct. 28 training session at Ciudad Real saw stars Carlos Espinosa, Dean Huijsen, Jude Bellingham, Trent Alexander‑Arnold and Brahim Díaz in action, while manager José Mourinho revealed a line‑up packed with Kylian Mbappé and other attackers for the upcoming El Clásico. A podcast analysis breaks down how Madrid dismantled Barcelona’s press, and health updates confirm Fede Valverde is fit, Arda Güler avoided overload, and Ferland Mendy is back training. The post also notes a retro Ballon d’Or poll naming Cristiano Ronaldo (2008) the greatest of all time.
Valverde escapes muscle injury after El Clásico
Fede Valverde avoids a feared muscle injury after being withdrawn from Sunday’s El Clásico, meaning he should be fit for Real Madrid’s match against Racing Santander this weekend. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also recovers from flu, while Arda Güler trains with minor fatigue, prompting José Mourinho to consider squad rotations after the demanding clash with Barcelona.
Switches, Wide Combinations, & Late Runs: How Mourinho Beat Barcelona in El Clásico
Mourinho's Real Madrid out‑smarted Barcelona in the October 25 El Clásico by repeatedly dragging the Catalans to one flank and then switching the ball to the opposite side. Early pressure from PSG highlighted Barcelona’s vulnerable full‑back spacing, which Valverde exploited with deep, diagonal passes to free players like Cucurella, Diomandé and Mbappé. A key moment came in the 40th minute when Mbappé’s run created a gap, allowing a cross to be turned into the winning goal. With Andriy Lunin in goal and a tactical focus on wide overloads and late runs, Madrid neutralised Barcelona’s high press and off‑side trap, securing a decisive victory.
Madrid Daily: Club apologizes over Mbappé comments as China broadcast dispute continues
Real Madrid apologises to Chinese fans after Kylian Mbappé’s joke about a meme portraying him as a Chinese dictator sparked a media backlash. The club’s statement, echoing Mbappé’s own multilingual apology, stresses respect for China and its supporters. China Media Group has suspended LaLiga broadcasts and ads featuring Mbappé, and the player’s deals with Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground have been terminated. LaLiga and the Spanish federation are negotiating with Chinese officials to restore coverage, while the Chinese foreign ministry acknowledges the apology but has not lifted the bans. The controversy coincides with a separate statement from Madrid on a tragic train collision in Toledo.
Kroos analyzes El Clásico: “I have to praise Mourinho”
Toni Kroos hails José Mourinho after Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou. He notes the shift from recent Clásicos that favored Barça, praising Mourinho’s tactical setup, bold attacking mindset, and the decisive use of Huijsen to mark Fermín. Kroos highlights Madrid’s intensity, solid defending and ability to exploit Barcelona’s struggle without possession, calling it an “excellent performance” that broke a six‑year losing streak. The former midfielder credits the forwards’ surge and the team’s unity for overturning the odds.
DAILY THREAD | Oct 28, 2026
Nico Paz shines for Como 1907 in a 2‑1 Serie A win over Torino, delivering a goal, an assist, three key passes and 77 touches in the October 27 match at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. The author urges Real Madrid to re‑sign Paz this winter, noting his 14 goals/assists this season. The thread also highlights defender Jacobo Ramón’s dominant stats against Torino, Rodrygo’s return to training, Carlos Espí’s potential first Real start, and a clean bill of health for Fede Valverde.
Paz and Ramon’s incredible run of form continues
Nico Paz and Jacobo Ramón spark Como 1907’s 3‑1 victory over Torino, cementing their surge after leaving Real Madrid Castilla. Paz scores, assists and leads both chances created (3) and shots (6), tallying three goals and three assists in eight Serie A games and adding two goals and three assists in three Champions League matches. Centre‑back Ramón wins 12 aerial duels, records 125 touches and scores his second league goal, also netting in the Champions League against Manchester United. Their form fuels speculation about a possible Madrid return in summer 2027.
Mourinho’s Tottenham meeting with Kane resurfaces after Ballon d’Or win
A 2020 meeting between Tottenham manager José Mourinho and striker Harry Kane resurfaces after Kane wins the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Filmed for Amazon’s *All or Nothing: Tottenham*, Mourinho tells the young forward he sees him as a future “global winner” and urges him to aim for the status of Ronaldo and Messi. Kane echoes the ambition, saying he wants to lift Tottenham and achieve worldwide acclaim. Although their partnership ended trophy‑less, Kane later thanked Mourinho in his Ballon d’Or acceptance speech, giving the old conversation fresh relevance.
Dani Carvajal: “I had an incredible farewell at Real Madrid”
In an AS interview, Dani Carvajal reflects on his emotional farewell after his final LaLiga match for Real Madrid against Athletic Club on May 23, 2026. He praises the fans’ warmth, calls his departure "one of the best experiences" of his life, and reminisces about key moments such as his debut, the 2014 La Décima triumph, and his 2024 injury. Carvajal lauds Vinícius Jr.'s spirit, credits coach Carlo Ancelotti as a mentor, discusses a possible reunion with Sergio Ramos at Getafe, and shares memories of Champions League comebacks at the Bernabéu. The interview offers insight into his career highlights and future outlook.
La Liga will report violence against Camavinga at the Camp Nou
La Liga will open an investigation after Eduardo Camavinga was struck by fans' flagpoles at Camp Nou during Real Madrid's winning goal celebration on October 27, 2026. The French midfielder provided the decisive assist, but the incident prompted referee Martínez Munuera to invoke the object‑throwing protocol, halting play for over a minute. La Liga has handed the footage to the Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee for action.
DAILY THREAD | Oct 27, 2026
In the Daily Merengue thread dated Oct 27, 2026, Managing Madrid highlights Harry Kane’s surprise win of the 2026 Ballon d’Or, edging Kylian Mbappé by fewer than 40 points – the narrowest margin since 2024. The post also celebrates Real Madrid’s recent El Clásico victory, citing José Mourinho’s bespoke tactical plan and praising Bernardo Silva’s composure and football IQ in midfield. Fans are urged to discuss these highlights amid the usual RMCF‑biased banter.
Mbappé finished second in the Ballon d’Or; Bellingham 11th
Kylian Mbappé finishes runner‑up in the 70th Ballon d’Or, with Harry Kane clinching the award in London on October 26, 2026. Mbappé is the only Real Madrid player inside the top‑10, while teammate Jude Bellingham lands 11th and Vinícius Júnior 17th. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal takes third. Madrid returns to the ceremony for the first time since 2023 after boycotting the 2024 and 2025 events over perceived snubs. The French forward emerges as Real’s closest challenger to Kane, highlighting a strong showing for the club’s elite squad.
Simplicity never goes out of fashion
The article revisits José Mourinho’s often‑overlooked tactical acumen, highlighting his clear post‑match analysis of Real Madrid’s 2–1 victory over Barcelona on Oct. 25, 2026. While Barcelona entered the game on a nine‑match winning streak and unbeaten at home, Mourinho’s simple tweak—sending Aurélien Camavinga into space—disrupted their defense and secured the win. The piece argues that Mourinho’s straightforward explanations reveal a coaching brilliance that gets eclipsed by his media persona, and it invites readers to appreciate his strategic insights beyond the usual controversy.
Five Bullet Points From Real Madrid’s Win Over Barcelona
Real Madrid clinched a tactical masterclass win over Barcelona on October 25, 2026, with Jose Mourinho’s 2.0 plan exploiting Barcelona’s high line. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring after a diagonal switch to Yan Diomande, while midfielders Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler drove the transition. Substitute Eduardo Camavinga’s burst into space set up Arda’s goal, and Andriy Lunin delivered a man‑of‑the‑match performance despite limited game time. Aurelien Tchouaméni anchored the defense with four key interventions and precise distribution, while Bernardo Silva’s calm presence steadied the backline. The article breaks down five key bullet points and links to a 47‑minute post‑game podcast.
Lunin: “Discipline, attitude and determination were key”
Real Madrid’s backup keeper Andriy Lunin explains how discipline, attitude and determination secured a 2-1 away win over Barcelona at the Camp Nou on October 25, 2026. He highlights Barcelona’s possession dominance, the crucial late save that kept the game level, and the team’s unity in enduring a tough match. Lunin also praises coach Nuno’s training methods and Kylian Mbappé’s decisive goal that clinched the three points, underscoring the squad’s “Hasta el final, vamos Real” mindset.
Mbappé: “This was a team win”
Kylian Mbappé praised Real Madrid’s collective effort after the club’s 2‑1 win at Camp Nou, where he netted both goals. Speaking to Real MadridTV, he highlighted the squad’s strong mindset, the importance of unity, and the need to keep pushing in the LaLiga race. Mbappé stressed that the five‑game winning streak is just the start and urged the team to maintain intensity for the upcoming match in Santander, reiterating that every three points count toward the title chase.
DAILY THREAD | Oct 26, 2026
Real Madrid clinches a dramatic 2-1 win over Barcelona at Spotify Camp Nou on October 25, 2026, with Kylian Mbappé netting the decisive goal. The victory narrows Barça’s league lead to three points, while Jose Mourinho praises his squad’s mentality despite Valverde’s hamstring issue. Highlights include Jude Bellingham winning 13 duels, Aurélien Tchouaméni’s 96% passing accuracy, and Andriy Lunin’s debut as captain. The post‑match reaction is featured in the Managing Madrid podcast and a deep‑dive stats thread.
Player Ratings: Barcelona 1–2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid edge Barcelona 2-1 in the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 clash at Spotify Camp Nou, with Kylien Mbappé netting a brace to reach eight goals in seven Clásicos. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin earns a 9 for five crucial saves, while Aurélien Tchouaméni and Dean Huijsen each score 9 and 8.5 for dominant defending and a 95.7% passing rate. Midfielders Bernardo Silva, Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler also impress, and Camavinga’s “ball of steel” run sets up the winner. The ratings highlight a commanding Madrid side that out‑performed a struggling Barcelona defence.
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