Real Madrid Confirm Mbappe and Diomande Absences Against Deportivo

Real Madrid will face Deportivo La Coruna without several notable players when the two teams meet in the Teresa Herrera Trophy on Wednesday. Kylian Mbappe and new signing Yan Diomande are among the most prominent absentees from the squad selected for the preseason fixture.

The match at the Estadio Abanca-Riazor represents another opportunity for José Mourinho to assess his squad before Real Madrid begin their La Liga campaign later this month. However, the coach will have to work around a number of players who have only recently returned to training or remain on the injury list.

Mbappe and Diomande Miss Real Madrid's Trip

Mbappe has returned to Real Madrid training after his involvement with France at the 2026 World Cup, but the forward has not been included in the squad for the meeting with Deportivo.

The same applies to Diomande, who recently completed his move to Real Madrid and had been expected by some supporters to make his first appearance in the club's colors during the preseason tournament.

Instead, the Ivorian winger will have to wait for his debut. Diomande only recently joined the first-team setup and had been working separately before taking part in group training at Valdebebas.

Several First-Team Players Also Unavailable

The absences extend beyond Mbappe and Diomande.

Real Madrid's squad for the match does not include Ibrahima Konaté, Marc Cucurella or Thibaut Courtois, all of whom have recently returned to the training group. Their omission is understood in the context of their limited preseason preparation rather than being part of the longer-term injury list.

Aurélien Tchouaméni is another important name missing from the group. The French midfielder only began his preseason work on Monday and trained indoors as he continues his return to full fitness.

The club also remains without several players recovering from injuries, including Raúl Asencio, Thiago, Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Ferland Mendy.

Mourinho Has Other Options to Assess

Despite the long list of absentees, Real Madrid still have plenty of players available for the Deportivo fixture.

The squad includes Vinicius Junior, Endrick, Brahim Diaz and Carlos Espí among the attacking options, while Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Güler are available in midfield.

Several summer arrivals have also been included. Denzel Dumfries, Carlos Espí and Bernardo Silva are among the players who could feature, giving Mourinho another opportunity to evaluate his options before the competitive season begins.

The coach will therefore have to balance the need for preseason minutes with the importance of avoiding unnecessary risks involving players who have only just returned from their respective breaks.

Diomande's Real Madrid Debut Will Have to Wait

Diomande's absence is particularly notable because his arrival has generated considerable interest among Real Madrid supporters.

The winger completed his move from RB Leipzig shortly before joining the squad and had been training individually during his initial days at Real Madrid City. His first full group session came on Monday, when he worked alongside his new teammates for the first time.

With Mourinho deciding against including him in the Deportivo squad, the new signing will have to wait for another opportunity to make his unofficial debut.

For the coaching staff, allowing Diomande additional time to integrate into the team may be preferable to rushing him into competitive action before he is fully prepared.

Real Madrid Continue Their Preseason Preparation

The match against Deportivo is part of Real Madrid's final preparations for the new season.

Madrid recently recorded a 2-1 victory over Ferencvaros in Budapest, with Mario Rivas and Carlos Espí scoring for Mourinho's side. The team is using the remaining preseason fixtures to improve fitness levels and give opportunities to players competing for places.

The Deportivo match will therefore be less about results and more about assessing the squad ahead of the start of La Liga.

Real Madrid are scheduled to open their league campaign against Espanyol on August 22, leaving Mourinho with limited time to finalize his preferred combinations and determine which returning players are ready for competitive football.

What Comes Next for Mbappe and Diomande?

Mbappe, Diomande and the other recently returned players are expected to continue building their fitness with the first team after the Deportivo fixture.

For Mbappe, the priority will be reaching full match readiness following his international commitments. For Diomande, the immediate objective is to complete his adaptation to Mourinho's squad before making his first appearance.

With the season approaching quickly, Real Madrid's remaining preseason work will provide the coaching staff with an increasingly important opportunity to evaluate the squad and manage the return of its biggest names.