Real Madrid drop Mendy from Champions League squad amid exit signals
Synopsis
Real Madrid's decision to omit injured left-back Ferland Mendy from their Champions League squad — while including other unavailable players — is the clearest signal yet that his six-year stint at the club is ending. With Mourinho declaring the squad closed and the January window the only realistic exit route, Mendy's Real Madrid career appears to be winding down quietly.
Key Takeaways
Ferland Mendy has been left out of Real Madrid's Champions League squad , despite other injured players being included.
The 31-year-old is recovering from surgery on a torn tendon in his right leg and made just five La Liga appearances in 2025-26.
Manager Jose Mourinho has declared the squad closed, saying he is satisfied with his current group.
Sergio Martinez , 19 , signed from Racing Santander for €3 million on a deal until June 2030 , was the club's last summer signing.
Real Madrid missed out on midfielder Rodri , who chose to join Barcelona .
A January transfer window exit is now widely considered the most likely outcome for Mendy.
Real Madrid have omitted left-back Ferland Mendy from their Champions League squad, a decision widely interpreted as a clear signal that the 31-year-old Frenchman's time at the club is drawing to a close. The squad list was published ahead of the club's European campaign opener against Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Why Mendy Was Left Out
Mendy is currently sidelined following surgery on a torn tendon in his right leg, ruling him out for the foreseeable future. What made the omission notable, however, is that fellow long-term absentees Eder Militao and Rodrygo were both included in the squad despite also remaining unavailable for selection — suggesting Mendy's exclusion was a deliberate footballing decision rather than a purely administrative one.
The French left-back has endured a difficult run of fitness in recent seasons, managing just five La Liga appearances and nine outings across all competitions in the 2025-2026 season. His recurring injury problems had already made a summer transfer impossible, but the January window is now reportedly the most likely exit route.
Mourinho Declares Squad Closed
Manager Jose Mourinho addressed the club's transfer situation ahead of Real Madrid's delayed La Liga opener against Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu on Thursday. The Portuguese coach made clear he is not seeking further additions, though he left the door slightly ajar for unexpected movement.
'For me, the squad is closed, but the market is still open; you never know if a player will come and say, I've been benched twice, and I want to leave. In theory, no (more deals)... but something could always happen... In my head, the squad is closed, and I have not asked for anyone. I am very happy with the players I have,' Mourinho told reporters.
Notably, Real Madrid had been linked with further midfield reinforcements during the transfer window, particularly after missing out on Rodri, who ultimately opted to join Barcelona.
Martinez Signing Ends Defensive Cover Search
The club's last incoming transfer was 19-year-old midfielder Sergio Martinez from Racing Santander, signed after Real Madrid activated his €3 million release clause. Martinez, who scored in Racing's opening match of the season, has been contracted through June 2030. His arrival — a midfield addition — effectively closed the door on any defensive reinforcement to cover Mendy's absence.
What Happens Next
With Mendy's Champions League exclusion now confirmed and Mourinho publicly satisfied with his current roster, the January transfer window is shaping up as the most plausible moment for a Mendy departure. Real Madrid begin their European campaign at home, with their defensive depth set to be tested across a demanding schedule in both domestic and continental competition.
Point of View
Not a squad-building decision. Real Madrid's handling of ageing or injury-prone assets has become increasingly clinical under the current setup, and Mendy fits a pattern of players eased out without a formal falling-out. The January window will test whether there is genuine market appetite for a 31-year-old left-back with a fragile injury record — and whether Real Madrid can extract any fee, or must simply absorb the departure. Mourinho's 'the squad is closed' framing is also worth watching: it deflects scrutiny from the Rodri miss, which left a visible gap in midfield depth that a teenager from Racing Santander does not fully address.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Ferland Mendy been left out of Real Madrid's Champions League squad?
Mendy was omitted from Real Madrid's Champions League squad reportedly because the club views his long-term future at the club as uncertain. He is currently recovering from surgery on a torn tendon in his right leg, but other injured players such as Eder Militao and Rodrygo were included, suggesting the exclusion was a deliberate signal rather than a purely medical one.
Is Ferland Mendy leaving Real Madrid?
A departure in the January transfer window is considered the most likely outcome for Mendy. His tendon injury made a summer move impossible, and his omission from the Champions League squad strongly suggests the club is planning for life without him.
What did Jose Mourinho say about Real Madrid's transfer plans?
Mourinho told reporters that, in his view, the squad is closed and he has not requested any further signings. He added that unexpected player movement is always possible if a player seeks an exit, but made clear he is satisfied with the current group.
Who is Sergio Martinez and why did Real Madrid sign him?
Sergio Martinez is a 19-year-old midfielder from Racing Santander, signed after Real Madrid triggered his €3 million release clause. He has been contracted until June 2030 and was the club's final summer signing, though his arrival did not address the defensive cover gap left by Mendy's injury.
Who did Real Madrid miss out on during the transfer window?
Real Madrid had been linked with midfielder Rodri during the summer window, but he ultimately chose to join Barcelona instead. The miss left a gap in midfield depth that the club did not fully address before the window closed.
