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The lengthy international break of September–October 2026 has finally come to an end, with players now returning to their clubs ahead of the domestic action resuming this weekend.
It's back to business for Real Madrid's stars, who must now focus on clawing their way back into contention in the title race after a turbulent opening to the 2026–27 La Liga campaign.
Los Blancos have ground to make up and welcome Villarreal on Saturday. Whether the extended break coming straight after the Madrid derby loss proved beneficial for the players remains to be seen. Several have clearly enjoyed representing their nations, and José Mourinho will be hoping they carry that momentum back to the Bernabéu. For others, though, things haven't gone quite as smoothly.
Here's a look at the standout winners and losers from the international break.
Winners
Trent Alexander-Arnold
The right back has found himself in and out of the Madrid lineup and doesn't appear to have fully earned Mourinho's trust. Nevertheless, he seems to be gradually winning over England boss Thomas Tuchel and delivered an impressive assist for Anthony Gordon in the Three Lions' 2–0 away victory against Czechia.
He then shone once more in the return fixture a week later, creating a game-high four chances.
Jude Bellingham
36 - Jude Bellingham tonight makes his 36th England appearance while playing for Real Madrid, the joint most along with David Beckham.
Royalty. pic.twitter.com/SxVCNpNiV3
Alexander-Arnold's international colleague Bellingham kept up his excellent form, registering four assists and a goal across four appearances for England.
Since the World Cup, the midfielder has looked like one of the finest players on the planet once again, with former Manchester United midfielder-turned-pundit Roy Keane boldly suggesting the 23-year-old has the potential to become "one of the greatest players of all time."
Marc Cucurella
Spain pushed its unbeaten run beyond the 40-game milestone—a record never previously reached in senior men's international football. Cucurella featured in three of La Roja's four victories and was hailed as "sensational" by head coach Luis de la Fuente following the 4–1 triumph over Croatia.
Eduardo Camavinga
Operating on the periphery at Real Madrid, there had been speculation over whether Camavinga might have been offloaded during the summer window. He stayed, but has yet to fully persuade Mourinho that he deserves a regular starting berth.
However, with the manager struggling to find balance in the early weeks of the season, Camavinga demonstrated his value by putting in strong performances for France under former Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane.
Across Les Bleus' two fixtures against Belgium, Camavinga looked composed in possession and combative in the challenge as his side claimed 1–0 and 4–1 victories.
Losers
Vinícius Júnior
No player was more in need of a confidence-boosting international break than Vinícius Júnior, whose form at the start of the season has been a major concern. Yet the Brazilian's sluggish 2026–27 showing continued on international duty, with the winger openly admitting he is struggling with his confidence.
Vinícius Jr. did convert a late penalty in a 4–2 win over Australia, but that was his only goal contribution across three matches (Australia twice and India).
With Yan Diomande catching the eye for Côte d'Ivoire, Vinícius Jr.'s position on Madrid's left flank is facing growing scrutiny.
Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé's blistering start to the campaign was disrupted by an injury concern while on duty with France.
The Ballon d'Or contender limped off during Les Bleus' 1–0 win over Türkiye after netting the game's only goal. The problem was later diagnosed as a "hyperextended" knee, raising fears he could be absent for a significant portion of Madrid's season.
However, most reports indicate Mbappé should be fit enough to play at least some role in the match against Villarreal. Whether Mourinho decides to risk him is an entirely different question.
Ibrahima Konaté
Another victim of injury during the international window, Konaté failed to feature for a single minute for France yet still returned to Valdebebas nursing a minor knee sprain.
His setback comes at a particularly difficult time for Mourinho, with fellow centre backs Raúl Asencio and Éder Militão also on the treatment table.
Bernardo Silva
Brought in as a seasoned, trophy-laden presence from Manchester City this summer, Silva has managed fewer than 300 minutes of action for Real Madrid so far this season.
The 32-year-old also appears to have become a peripheral figure at international level, accumulating just seven minutes of combined playing time across four matches in September and October. Silva did not storm out of the Portugal camp—as one of his teammates did—but did attract attention for a reckless challenge on Martin Ødegaard that left the Norway and Arsenal captain with an injury.