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Iker Casillas's recent social media activity is being interpreted by supporters as a subtle reaction to speculation linking José Mourinho with a summer return to Real Madrid.
With Los Blancos facing a second consecutive season without silverware, the club are bracing for significant changes ahead. Álvaro Arbeloa appears unlikely to remain in the dugout past 2025–26, with several names being floated as potential successors.
Jürgen Klopp, Didier Deschamps and Mauricio Pochettino have all been mentioned in connection with the Bernabéu vacancy in recent weeks, though it is Mourinho's name that continues to gather the most momentum.
Once considered a long shot, the 63-year-old Benfica boss—who managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013—has key admirers in Florentino Pérez and Kylian Mbappé, the latter having been caught liking an Instagram post backing Mourinho's potential comeback.
Casillas Breaks Out the Popcorn
🍿 🍿 🍿
One person who may not be thrilled at the prospect of the "Special One" making a second stint in Madrid is Casillas.
The iconic former shot-stopper had a well-documented and bitter falling-out with Mourinho during their shared tenure, with the manager eventually dropping Casillas in favor of backup goalkeeper Diego López during the 2012–13 campaign.
Mourinho publicly stated that he simply rated López more highly between the posts, but rumors swirled about deeper off-pitch tensions between the manager and the club captain.
As chatter around Mourinho's potential return intensified on Tuesday, Casillas took to X to cryptically post three popcorn emojis. The post quickly drew a flood of responses from fans who were in little doubt about what the three-time Champions League winner was implying.
Mourinho Sets Deadline for Decision on Future
Meanwhile, AS reports that Mourinho has established a personal deadline for resolving his future.
According to the report, the Portuguese tactician has handed his current club Benfica a "dossier" detailing the conditions required for him to remain for the 2026–27 season. He is now said to be awaiting a response from Benfica president Rui Costa, as well as concrete interest from Madrid or any other interested party.
For Mourinho, it is "essential" to have clarity on his next club by June, and he has given himself a window of one week after the Portuguese league wraps up on May 16 to reach a decision.
Madrid are said to be "watching from afar" and are already aware of the specifics of Mourinho's release clause at Benfica.
Speaking to Italian publication Il Giornale, Mourinho played down exit speculation, stating: "My next objective is to take Benfica to the Champions League.
"We've had a remarkable run; we're the only side in Europe yet to suffer a defeat. If we take maximum points from our next three fixtures, we'll be competing in the biggest club competition on the continent. That's the only thing on my mind.
"Who knows what comes after that?"