Asencio excited for Mourinho’s return at Real Madrid

Mourinho’s return to Madrid was announced last week, with the Portuguese coach looking to end a two-year trophy drought at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Los Blancos finished second in LaLiga in 2025-26, finishing eight points behind rivals Barcelona, while they were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League by Bayern Munich.

They were stunned in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey by Albacete, which was Alvaro Arbeloa’s first game in charge after Xabi Alonso parted ways with the club following their Supercopa de Espana final loss to Barca.

Asencio, who made 38 appearances across all competitions for Madrid this season, believes Mourinho’s first spell with Los Blancos between 2010 and 2013 is representative of his own style of play.

“I was small, and I saw it – how he changed the team, the competitiveness he introduced into the club, the anger and the grit. I think those are characteristics that make me who I am as a player,” Asencio told El Desmarque.

“Now, with the new project, with Mourinho, I think it is very exciting, and I am looking forward to starting.”