Real Madrid suffered their first setback ahead of the 2026-2027 season after one of their players sustained an injury that will sideline him for several weeks. This development has disrupted the plans of the coaching staff, led by Portuguese manager José Mourinho, during the preseason.
The Spanish giants are preparing to begin their La Liga campaign against Espanyol on August 22. While Mourinho is striving to have his squad at full fitness before kickoff, this latest injury has forced an early adjustment to his plans.
According to reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, young defender Tiago Pitarch suffered a knee injury during the team’s first training session in preparation for the new season.
Romano explained that medical examinations confirmed the player would require a period of treatment and rehabilitation, meaning he will be sidelined until the beginning of September before returning to group training.
Pitarch is considered one of Real Madrid’s most promising young talents, having progressed through the club’s youth ranks to reach the first team. He made 16 appearances during the second half of last season, delivering impressive performances that confirmed his considerable potential.
This injury comes at an inopportune time for the coaching staff, especially since Mourinho had planned to rely on the player during the preseason to assess his readiness ahead of the new campaign. However, the injury has delayed his involvement with the team, meaning Real Madrid will begin the season facing its first challenge in terms of squad availability.










