Real Madrid’s Best Starting XI After Transfer Window Closes
Real Madrid have closed the 2026 summer transfer window with a squad packed with established stars, experienced internationals and exciting young talent. With José Mourinho back in charge, the big question is no longer who the club could sign, but Real Madrid’s Best Starting XI after all the summer changes.
The new look squad includes major defensive reinforcements such as Ibrahima Konaté, Álvaro Carreras and Denzel Dumfries, while Bernardo Silva adds another elite option in midfield. Up front, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. remain the centrepieces of Madrid’s attack.
Real Madrid have already shown several different combinations during the opening matches of the 2026-27 campaign, making the starting lineup one of the most interesting selection debates in European football.
Real Madrid Starting Lineup 2026: Best XI
Based on the current squad, Mourinho’s tactical approach and the lineups used so far, this could be the strongest Real Madrid starting 11:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Thibaut Courtois
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
CB: Dean Huijsen
CB: Ibrahima Konaté
LB: Álvaro Carreras
CM: Federico Valverde
CM: Eduardo Camavinga
RW: Brahim Díaz
CAM: Jude Bellingham
LW: Vinícius Jr.
ST: Kylian Mbappé
This is not an officially confirmed lineup for the next match. It is a projected best XI based on squad strength, recent selections and tactical balance.
Why Courtois Remains Real Madrid’s No. 1
Thibaut Courtois remains the obvious choice in goal.
The Belgian goalkeeper has been one of the most important players in Madrid’s squad for years and continues to offer elite shot-stopping, experience and composure behind a changing defence.
Mourinho also has Andriy Lunin as an experienced alternative, but when selecting the strongest possible Real Madrid starting lineup today, Courtois is the natural first choice.
Real Madrid’s New Defensive Line
The biggest question surrounding the new Real Madrid team may be the defence.
The club now has several high-level options, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rüdiger, Denzel Dumfries, Álvaro Carreras and Marc Cucurella. The official squad list confirms the depth available to Mourinho.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent gives Madrid an attacking dimension from the right side that few defenders can match.
His passing range, crossing and ability to move into midfield can help Real Madrid control possession while also creating chances for Mbappé and Vinícius.
However, Denzel Dumfries is a serious competitor for the position. Dumfries actually started at right-back against Real Sociedad, while Trent started against Málaga, showing that Mourinho is still experimenting with the role.
Centre-back: Ibrahima Konaté
Konaté arrived from Liverpool on a free transfer and immediately became one of the most interesting additions to the Madrid defence.
His physical strength, recovery pace and experience at the highest level make him a strong candidate to partner Huijsen.
Centre-back: Dean Huijsen
Huijsen could become one of the most important defensive pieces of Mourinho’s new project.
The young defender has already featured regularly and offers a combination of composure, passing ability and physical presence.
Mourinho’s early defensive selections suggest Huijsen is currently among the strongest candidates for a starting position.
Left-back: Álvaro Carreras
Carreras has impressed enough to become a genuine first-team option.
He started against Real Sociedad alongside Huijsen and Konaté, giving Mourinho a balanced defensive setup.
Cucurella is another option after arriving into the squad, while Ferland Mendy provides further depth.
Midfield: Valverde and Camavinga
The midfield is where Mourinho has perhaps the most difficult decisions.
Federico Valverde looks extremely difficult to remove from the starting XI because of his energy, defensive work and ability to contribute going forward.
Eduardo Camavinga provides athleticism and ball recovery beside him.
The pair could give Madrid the physical foundation Mourinho traditionally prefers.
However, the competition is enormous.
Bernardo Silva, Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Arda Güler can all influence the midfield structure depending on the opponent and formation. Real Madrid’s official squad list confirms the depth available across these positions.
Jude Bellingham: The No. 10
Bellingham could become the key link between Madrid’s midfield and attack.
Rather than playing as a traditional central midfielder, Mourinho can use him behind Mbappé, allowing the England international to attack spaces around the striker.
Bellingham has already made an immediate impact this season, including scoring in Real Madrid’s 4-0 victory over Málaga.
His movement could also create more room for Vinícius and Mbappé.
Vinícius Jr. and Mbappé Remain Untouchable
The attacking positions are much easier to predict.
Vinícius Jr.
Vinícius remains Madrid’s primary threat from the left.
His pace, dribbling and ability to attack defenders one-on-one make him an ideal weapon in a Mourinho side that can transition quickly from defence to attack.
Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé is the obvious No. 9.
The French superstar has already shown his importance during the opening weeks of the season and scored against Málaga as Real Madrid won 4-0.
With Vinícius supplying danger from the left, Mbappé can focus on attacking the penalty area and exploiting spaces between defenders.
Who Should Start on the Right Wing?
This could be one of Mourinho’s biggest tactical decisions.
Brahim Díaz, Arda Güler, Rodrygo and Yan Diomande all provide different qualities.
Brahim offers direct attacking movement and creativity, while Güler provides exceptional technical ability and a left-footed threat.
Against Málaga, Mourinho used Brahim alongside Bellingham, Vinícius and Mbappé, and that combination produced an attacking lineup capable of creating chances from several areas.
For a balanced best XI, Brahim gets the nod, but this position is far from settled.
Real Madrid Starting Lineup Today vs Best Starting XI
There is an important difference between the Real Madrid starting lineup today and the club’s strongest theoretical XI.
Mourinho has already rotated his team during the opening games. Against Real Sociedad, Madrid started Courtois, Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Carreras, Bernardo Silva, Valverde, Arda Güler, Bellingham, Vinícius and Mbappé.
Against Málaga, the lineup changed considerably, with Trent, Rüdiger, Huijsen and Cucurella starting in defence, while Camavinga and Brahim came into the team.
That tells us Mourinho is not yet committed to one fixed Real Madrid starting 11.
Sergio Martinez Real Madrid: Is He Part of the First Team?
Sergio Martínez is one of the recent young additions attracting attention around Real Madrid.
The 19-year-old midfielder joined Real Madrid from Racing Santander, but he is expected to be registered with Real Madrid Castilla, rather than immediately becoming a regular first-team starter. Reports also indicate that he could train with Mourinho’s senior squad.
Therefore, Martínez should not currently be included in the projected Real Madrid starting XI.
His signing is more about securing a promising young player for the future.
Jorge Rajado to Real Madrid: What Is the Situation?
Jorge Rajado is another recent youth addition.
The 20-year-old winger came through Atlético Madrid’s academy before moving across the city to Real Madrid. He is set to join Real Madrid C, with the possibility of moving up to Castilla during the season.
Rajado is therefore another player to watch for the future rather than an immediate candidate for Mourinho’s first-team starting lineup.
Real Madrid Starting 11 for Next Season
If Mourinho’s project develops as expected, the starting XI could become even stronger during the season.
A potential long-term lineup could look like:
Courtois
Trent – Konaté – Huijsen – Carreras
Valverde – Camavinga
Brahim – Bellingham – Vinícius
Mbappé
The biggest competition will come from Dumfries, Rüdiger, Tchouaméni, Bernardo Silva, Arda Güler, Rodrygo, Cucurella and Diomande.
That depth gives Mourinho the ability to change his lineup depending on the opponent.
Real Madrid Starting XI vs Prime Real Madrid Starting 11 2017
Comparisons with the prime Real Madrid starting 11 2017 are inevitable.
The 2016-17 team featured legendary players such as:
- Keylor Navas
- Dani Carvajal
- Sergio Ramos
- Raphaël Varane
- Marcelo
- Casemiro
- Luka Modrić
- Toni Kroos
- Isco
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Karim Benzema
That team had a level of chemistry that cannot be reproduced overnight.
The current side, however, has something equally exciting: a younger core built around Mbappé, Vinícius, Bellingham, Valverde, Camavinga and Huijsen, plus major additions such as Konaté and Bernardo Silva.
The 2017 team remains the benchmark, but Mourinho’s new Madrid has the talent to develop into another elite European side.
Mourinho’s Biggest Selection Dilemmas
The manager’s biggest decisions are likely to involve four positions.
Trent vs Dumfries
Trent offers creativity and passing, while Dumfries provides physicality, defensive strength and attacking runs.
Konaté vs Rüdiger
Both are experienced defenders, but Konaté’s pace and physical profile could suit Mourinho’s defensive system.
Camavinga vs Bernardo Silva
Camavinga gives the midfield more defensive security, while Bernardo offers control and creativity.
Brahim vs Güler vs Rodrygo
This may be the most competitive attacking position.
Mourinho can rotate depending on the opposition, meaning there may never be one permanent starter.
What Is Real Madrid’s Best Starting XI?
For now, the strongest balanced Real Madrid’s Best Starting XI is:
Courtois; Trent, Konaté, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Camavinga; Brahim, Bellingham, Vinícius; Mbappé.
However, this should be viewed as a projected XI rather than an officially confirmed lineup.
The opening weeks of the season have already shown that Mourinho is willing to rotate heavily. Real Madrid have started the campaign strongly, winning their first three league matches and reaching the top of the table after a 4-0 victory over Málaga.
With the transfer window now closed, the real test begins: can Mourinho turn this collection of stars into a team capable of challenging for LaLiga and the Champions League?
