Mourinho takes three young players to Seville. One has only just joined Real Madrid

Mario Rivas, Cestero and Sergio Martínez have been included in Real Madrid’s squad for the away match against Real Betis. Martínez is the most surprising name on the list. The new signing has completed only two training sessions with the first team, but José Mourinho is already taking him to Seville.

Real Madrid have announced their squad for Friday’s match against Betis, which kicks off at 9:00 pm CEST at La Cartuja. Mourinho’s list includes three young players: Mario Rivas, Cestero and recent arrival Sergio Martínez.

The coach is dealing with several absences. Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Thiago, Rodrygo, Endrick and Asencio all trained individually before the trip. Mourinho has responded by opening the first-team door to youth, although none of the three selections looks accidental.

Two training sessions were enough for Martínez

Sergio Martínez is the standout name. Real Madrid signed the 19-year-old midfielder from Racing Santander after paying his €3 million release clause. He is expected to play primarily for Castilla, but his first few days in Madrid suggest that his route to the senior side may be shorter than initially expected.

The transfer was announced on Monday. Martínez spent Tuesday settling in Madrid before completing his first session with Mourinho’s squad on Wednesday. He trained with the first team again on Thursday and was then informed that he would travel to Seville.

Just two sessions were enough to earn his first senior call-up. Mourinho has not promised him a debut, but he confirmed that the midfielder will be on the bench.

“He has potential, but he needs to work. The quality and intensity here are different. He will be with us tomorrow, and that is already a step forward for him,” the coach said.

Martínez had already made his Primera División debut for Racing and marked his first appearance with an impressive goal against Villarreal. Real Madrid had followed him before that breakthrough, but his introduction to senior football helped accelerate the move.

Rivas and Cestero remain close to the senior squad

The trip will be more familiar to Mario Rivas. The young defender has worked with the first team since the beginning of the season and has regularly benefited from the absences in Mourinho’s squad. His inclusion once again suggests that the coach sees him as a genuine defensive option.

Cestero will also make the journey. The midfielder has received another opportunity to work alongside established senior players and experience Mourinho’s demands at close range. He cannot yet be considered a permanent member of the first team, but repeated call-ups carry more weight than an occasional invitation to training.

Mourinho explained that he remains in daily contact with the staff responsible for La Fábrica. Some academy players work with him regularly, while others are monitored closely. Injuries and suspensions will create further opportunities over the course of the season.

Mourinho turns absences into opportunities

Real Madrid will not travel to Seville at full strength, but Mourinho has done more than complain about the unavailable players. He has used the situation to include three youngsters he wants to assess in a senior environment.

Rivas is already a regular presence around the squad, Cestero remains close to the first team and Martínez has earned an immediate call-up after two sessions. There is no guarantee that any of them will play against Betis, but Mourinho’s decisions are beginning to support his public commitment to the club’s younger players.

For Martínez, events have moved particularly quickly. A few days ago he was still a Racing player. He will now travel alongside Mbappé, Vinícius and Bellingham for a Real Madrid league match. Friday night may end without a debut, but being on the bench in his fifth day at the club is hardly a slow start.