No stage, no crowds and no press conferences. Real Madrid change their unveiling plans
Real Madrid have completed one of the biggest squad rebuilds in the club’s history this summer, but they do not intend to turn it into a week-long show. According to MARCA, the club have decided against holding public unveiling ceremonies for José Mourinho and their six new signings.
Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konaté, Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, Carlos Espí and Yan Diomande will not be introduced individually on the Santiago Bernabéu pitch. There will be no traditional kick-ups in front of the stands and no welcome press conferences. Mourinho will not receive a separate public presentation either.
Madrid will instead organise a series of private institutional events. The players and their families are expected to meet president Florentino Pérez, complete the customary formalities and pose for official photographs. There will be no supporters in the stadium, no press conference and none of the extensive media programme normally associated with a major arrival at the Bernabéu.
It is a notable change for a club that has spent years turning individual transfers into events attended by tens of thousands of supporters. The names are big enough and the investment has certainly been substantial, but the ceremony will be deliberately modest. Madrid appear to have decided that the new team should start working before it starts posing.
The timing of the LaLiga opener is believed to be an important factor. Mourinho’s side travel to face Espanyol on Saturday, and the coaching staff do not want the players distracted by repeated media duties. The squad were given Monday off following their 3–0 friendly win over Schalke 04 and will return to Valdebebas on Tuesday to begin their direct preparations for the new season.
Mourinho has also maintained a far lower public profile than during his first spell in Madrid. The Portuguese coach has been working with the squad since mid-July and has overseen the entire series of preseason fixtures, yet he has still not appeared at an official introductory press conference. A man who once produced headlines before the first question had been asked is, for the moment, allowing his team to take centre stage.
Supporters will get their first look at Mourinho and the new signings at the Bernabéu when Madrid host Real Sociedad on 26 August. Until then, the new project will be introduced through training sessions, private meetings and the league opener against Espanyol.
Six signings, the return of one of football’s most recognisable managers and not a single traditional welcome conference. Real Madrid have spent heavily on rebuilding the squad, but this time they have decided to spare everyone the speeches. All that remains is to present the team where it matters.
