Among the key tasks on José Mourinho’s shoulders at the start of his second tenure with Real Madrid is choosing a new club captain. This step might appear easy on the surface, but in reality, it is highly complex.
Following Dani Carvajal’s departure at the end of his contract, the captain’s armband was expected to naturally pass to Federico Valverde, the longest-serving player currently at the club. However, the Uruguayan star’s complicated situation recently raised doubts about whether this tradition would be maintained.
Rumors circulated in the Spanish press suggesting that Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez intended to change the criteria for choosing the new captain. The proposed change would allow players to vote for their captain—as is common in most European clubs—rather than relying on senior squad status.
Mourinho Upholds Real Madrid Tradition for Valverde
However, Spanish newspaper “AS” revealed that José Mourinho has decided to stick with the club’s traditional seniority rule. Consequently, Valverde will become Real Madrid’s official first captain. The Portuguese manager strongly believes in his own ability to resolve the player’s recent crises and restore him to his peak form.
Mourinho hopes that this immense vote of confidence will help Valverde move past recent events and reintegrate smoothly into the squad after a highly controversial season.
Defusing the Locker Room Crises
Valverde’s recent past has been turbulent. Following the sacking of Xabi Alonso, rumors suggested that Valverde was behind the dismissal, allegedly leading a player revolt against the Basque manager. Tensions peaked later on with his violent locker-room altercation with teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni.
Things did not improve on the international stage either. While away with the Uruguay national team, Valverde was accused of conspiring against manager Marcelo Bielsa, which critics blamed for his country’s highly underwhelming performance at the 2026 World Cup.
Ultimately, Mourinho remains determined to keep Valverde, completely refusing to let him leave. The “Special One” plans to hand him substantial responsibilities for the upcoming season, not just as the team leader, but also as a versatile pillar playing in multiple positions across the pitch.
