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Real Madrid ground out a forgettable 2–1 victory over Hungarian outfit Ferencváros on Saturday, leaving new manager José Mourinho visibly unimpressed from the dugout.
Los Blancos entered the preseason fixture hungry to bounce back after squandering a two-goal advantage against Fiorentina in their previous outing. What followed, however, was a tepid affair played under sweltering conditions in Budapest.
It took nearly 40 minutes for Real Madrid to threaten the goal, and the breakthrough eventually arrived via a poorly defended set piece that caught the home side flat-footed. Castilla center back Mario Rivas nodded in the opener in the 41st minute, before new recruit Carlos Espí extended Los Blancos' advantage in the 49th minute.
Kenan Kodro pulled one back for Ferencváros just shy of the hour mark, but meaningful action was scarce for the remainder of the contest. Nevertheless, the victory raised several talking points that are surely weighing on Mourinho's mind.
Vinícius Júnior Returns Without Much Flair
Having just penned a six-year contract extension, Vinícius Júnior made his preseason debut in the second half at the Ferencváros Stadion. His very first touch was an ambitious pass — which went straight to the opposition.
Vinícius Jr. looked noticeably ring-rusty in his first appearance since Brazil's early World Cup exit in the round of 16 on July 5. The winger conjured two chances, but that was the extent of his contribution after entering at the break.
He managed just one shot, failed to complete a single dribble, and won no duels. Vinícius Jr. was also dispossessed too easily on occasion and struggled to build any chemistry with Álvaro Carreras along the left flank.
It was far from the return the club or player would have envisioned, though there is little cause for panic. Vinícius Jr. clearly lacked match sharpness after less than a week of training, and the oppressive heat was hardly a helping hand.
It will be worth watching how his partnership with Marc Cucurella develops once the World Cup winner links up with his new teammates.
Midfield Questions Persist
Somewhat overshadowed by the record-breaking acquisition of Yan Diomande and Vinícius Jr.'s renewal was the news that Rodri reportedly favors Barcelona over Real Madrid. The World Cup winner, who grew up in Madrid, had appeared destined to swap Manchester City for the Bernabéu, but has since set his sights on a move to Catalonia.
Rodri would have been the deep-lying playmaker Los Blancos so desperately crave, but now Mourinho must accomplish what Carlo Ancelotti and Álvaro Arbeloa could not: establish a functional midfield identity in the post-Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić era.
With Aurélien Tchouaméni still on his summer break, the Portuguese tactician once again handed Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga the keys to his double pivot — and their displays did little to inspire confidence at a club reportedly reluctant to add another midfielder this summer beyond Bernardo Silva.
While both players had their individual flashes of quality, they also exposed the same vulnerabilities that plagued the 2025–26 campaign in the opening half. Creativity in the build-up phase was sorely lacking — so much so that it took Real Madrid 37 minutes to register a shot on target against Ferencváros. There were also far too many lateral passes with little ambition beyond keeping the ball.
Los Blancos looked toothless against a well-organized defense, and Mourinho wasted no time introducing Silva at halftime in place of Camavinga. Just four minutes later, Valverde surged forward and immediately teed up his side's second goal.
Mourinho subsequently shifted Silva into the No. 10 role after bringing on Jorge Cestero to partner Valverde. The manager will undoubtedly keep tinkering with his double pivot as preseason progresses, but Camavinga and Valverde hardly appear to be the answer.
Castilla Gems Make Their Mark
If one youngster has caught Mourinho's eye, it is Alexis Ciria. The 18-year-old has started all three preseason friendlies to date, chipping in with a goal and an assist along the way.
Ciria showcased his sharp right foot against Fiorentina, slotting home a composed finish to double Real Madrid's lead. On Saturday, he shifted into a creative role, delivering the precise cross that fellow Castilla graduate Rivas headed home.
The winger radiates self-assurance despite his tender age and limited experience. He even attempted a rabona, drawing audible gasps from the crowd.
Rivas, meanwhile, netted the first senior goal of his career and enjoyed a moment of redemption. The center back had been culpable for both of Fiorentina's goals in the previous match, but he was solid at the back on Saturday, helping his side keep a clean sheet in the first half.
Keeping the hosts at bay may not sound like a monumental feat, but once Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rüdiger came on to replace Rivas and Joan Martínez, Real Madrid were cut open and Ferencváros clawed their way back into the game just before the hour mark.