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Real Madrid News Iker Casillas takes a swipe at Real Madrid defence with Thibaut Courtois joke: ‘A bad sign’ Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas offered a typically candid assessment of the club while attending the launch of the 55th edition of the Panini LaLiga sticker album, with Thibaut Courtois and Jose Mourinho both providing memorable moments. Casillas was asked to name the leading candidates for the best player of the 2025/26 season. The former Spain and Real Madrid goalkeeper initially focused on the attacking stars before being reminded that goalkeepers were also eligible. “I think Lamine, Mbappe, Vinicius and Raphinha could be in it,” the former footballer admitted. “What about Courtois?” asked the event’s presenter, journalist Felipe del Campo, to which he said, “Ah, goalkeepers too? In that case, yes,” replied Iker. That gave Casillas the opening to make a joke at Real Madrid’s expense, using Courtois’ status as one of the club’s most important players to poke fun at their defensive performances. “It’s fine to have Courtois in the top three. But if the goalkeeper is the best player in the team, that’s a bad sign,” he remarked with a laugh. Casillas gives blunt Mourinho description The afternoon produced another notable moment when Casillas was handed a Jose Mourinho trading card and asked to describe the Portuguese manager in one word. Their time together at Real Madrid was famously complicated, making the question particularly interesting. Casillas, however, did not offer a conventional one-word answer. “More intense and a harder worker than these two,” was all he said, pointing to Alvaro García of Rayo Vallecano and Johan Mojica of Getafe, who were standing next to him and had previously described each other in that way. The response was brief but unmistakably humorous, allowing Casillas to acknowledge Mourinho’s intense personality without turning the moment into a serious discussion about their past relationship. Source: Mundo Deportivo Real Madrid News Carlo Ancelotti names Real Madrid forward in Brazil squad despite fitness concerns Endrick has received a fresh vote of confidence from Carlo Ancelotti after being included in Brazil’s 26-man squad for the upcoming friendlies against Australia and India. The Real Madrid forward has yet to make his competitive debut for the club this season after struggling with fitness problems dating back to pre-season. Despite his lack of playing time, Ancelotti has decided to keep faith with the 19-year-old as Brazil continues to assess its options in attack. “I believe Endrick will be an important player for the future of the national team,” said Ancelotti as he announced the 26-man squad for two friendlies against Australia and one against India. The call-up comes at an important point in Endrick’s Madrid career, as he remained with the Spanish giants despite receiving significant offers for both a loan and permanent transfer. Endrick faces competition at Real Madrid Endrick’s immediate challenge is to establish himself in Mourinho’s plans. 26 CONVOCADOS! 🇧🇷 — brasil (@CBF_Futebol) September 9, 2026 A Seleção está pronta para novos desafios: dois jogos contra a Austrália e o primeiro confronto da história contra a Índia. 25/09 | Austrália 29/09 | Austrália 03/10 | Índia ISSO É BRASIL! 🇧🇷#BateNoPeito pic.twitter.com/Yht5SuOHjr On paper, he will compete for the role of first-choice attacking substitute alongside Yan Diomande and Carlos Espi, although his fitness has so far prevented him from making his competitive debut. Despite all this, his situation at club level has not stopped Ancelotti from placing considerable faith in him internationally. Endrick was part of Brazil’s squad at the last World Cup but failed to make the expected impact, yet the Italian has opted to continue backing the young forward. “Over the past year we’ve tried out a lot of centre-forwards, but I think the situation is now very clear to everyone. “We’ve got a couple of very promising young players, and we need to keep an eye on their progress,” said Carletto. The Brazil boss believes the national team has strong depth in attack, with Endrick among several younger players being monitored. “As well as Endrick, we’ve got other young players who are performing well, as well as others who aren’t on the list. We’re very well covered in terms of forwards,” he added. Ancelotti keeps close eye on Real Madrid Ancelotti’s decision to select Endrick also comes after the former Real Madrid manager visited Valdebebas last week. The Italian, who managed the club on two separate occasions, used the visit to meet Madrid’s Brazilian players and assess the progress of Rodrygo and Eder Militao, both of whom are recovering from long-term injuries. For Endrick, the international call-up provides an opportunity to regain competitive sharpness and remind both Brazil and Real Madrid of his qualities. Yet his immediate priority is to break into Mourinho’s team and prove that his fitness problems are behind him.