Alexander-Arnold Embraces ‘Intense’ Mourinho Era as Real Madrid Launch Preseason

MADRID — Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has offered an inside look at the opening days of the club’s summer preparations, describing a grueling regime of double sessions under the demanding eye of returning manager José Mourinho.

Speaking from the club’s sprawling training complex at Valdebebas on July 16, the England international reflected on the high physical and tactical stakes of the current camp. Alexander-Arnold, who is entering his second season in the Spanish capital after joining the club in summer 2025, noted that the squad has been met with both scorching temperatures and a significant increase in workload.

“So far, so good. It’s hot and very intense. We’re in preseason, and that’s what we expected. There are a lot of tough sessions, a lot of double sessions, so it’s been intense so far,” he told the club’s official media channel.

The facility, known officially as Ciudad Real Madrid, serves as the nerve center for the reigning European giants. Situated near the Barajas airport, the 1.2 million-square-meter site is where Mourinho is currently laying the groundwork for his second stint at the helm of the Merengues. The Portuguese tactician, renowned for his emphasis on defensive structure and transition play, has historically utilized the preseason period to instill a rigid sense of tactical discipline.

For Alexander-Arnold, the opportunity to work under Mourinho represents a shift from the systems he navigated during his formative years at Liverpool. Despite having faced Mourinho’s teams as a rival in the Premier League, the defender expressed deep respect for his new coach’s methodology.

“With Mourinho? Very good, very good. I’ve always admired the coach,” Alexander-Arnold said. “I’ve played against him a couple of times and it’s a pleasure to work with him and his team. He’s intense. The principles and the level of expectation are very high, so I’m looking forward to seeing how, the more we get to know each other, the more we learn and the more he can teach us.”

The 27-year-old’s return to full training is particularly significant following a period of enforced absence. While he did not specify the nature of the injury, he acknowledged that he had been “out of action for a long time,” making this summer a critical window for physical recalibration. In elite football, these early weeks are often used to build the aerobic base necessary to survive a campaign that can exceed 60 matches across domestic and continental competitions.

“Preseason objectives? It’s about getting in shape, understanding the principles and how the coach wants us to play,” Alexander-Arnold explained. “Understanding how we’re going to set up and present ourselves for this season. And, simply, getting fit and back in action and regaining our rhythm.”

The England international also emphasized the personal responsibility required of modern athletes during the off-season. He noted that he spent his brief summer break maintaining a baseline of fitness to ensure he was prepared for the rigors of the Valdebebas camp. “In the summer you have a couple of weeks off and then a couple of weeks getting back into running and regaining your fitness. Now, in preseason, you have to come back in shape. So I was ready and really looking forward to returning.”

As Real Madrid continues its preparations with a reduced squad before the full contingent of international players returns, the focus remains squarely on the silverware-laden expectations that define both the club and its manager. “We’re all willing and eager to learn and improve,” Alexander-Arnold concluded. “I’m sure he’ll teach us a lot and help us win trophies this year.”