José Mourinho has made it clear that Endrick is back in Real Madrid’s thinking for the Champions League opener against Inter de Milão, but only in the most limited way. The coach said the forward could be available for 5 minutes, 10 at the most, as Madrid look to ease him back after a muscle injury. Carlos Augusto.
The match at the Santiago Bernabéu on 8 de setembro de 2026 is the first league-phase fixture of the Champions League 2026/27, and it comes after a short but important spell without the youngster. Endrick had been out for four matches because of a muscle problem, only returning to full-group training on Sunday for the first time since his setback. He has not played since Budapeste.
Mourinho wants control, not comfort
Mourinho framed the night as a game Real Madrid have to win, not simply enjoy. He said he does not want to look good and lose, pointing back to the defeat at Betis as the sort of result Madrid must avoid in Europe if they are to move through the new league phase with authority.
That is a sensible message for a team entering a competition where every detail matters. Real Madrid have already shown they can put together winning runs in LaLiga, with three straight victories against Espanyol, Real Sociedad and Málaga before the setback at Betis. The task now is to turn that domestic rhythm into a strong European start.
Why Endrick's minutes matter
The key detail is not simply that Endrick is available again. It is that Mourinho does not see him as ready for more than a brief cameo. The coach said the striker is not fit enough for more, but the squad has space on the bench and that is where he will be used if needed.
For Real Madrid, that makes this a careful reintegration rather than a full return. It also suggests the coach is prioritising control over risk. In a Champions League opener, especially against an Inter de Milão side that arrive with momentum, the temptation to force a return can be high. Mourinho has resisted that.
Inter arrive with their own confidence
Inter de Milão come into the match with a strong domestic start behind them, having won their first three matches in the Campeonato Italiano. Their win over Napoli by 3 a 2 at San Siro last weekend underlined that they are already competitive and sharp in key moments.
Cristian Chivu, meanwhile, offered the standard warning that fits this competition. He said the Champions League is cruel, that teams need a little luck and must survive difficult spells, but insisted Inter simply want to be competitive and stay at the level demanded by the competition and by the club’s recent history.
That creates a neat early-season contrast. Real Madrid are managing a return from injury and still adjusting after the Betis defeat. Inter are arriving with form and belief. For Endrick, the likely 5 to 10 minutes would be a first step back rather than a headline role. For Madrid, the priority is far simpler: win the first one and set the tone for the campaign.
