Real Madrid considers Mario Rivas for squad amid defensive shortage

Real Madrid faces a defensive shortage following a stress fracture in Raúl Asencio’s tibia and Éder Militao’s ongoing absence, prompting manager José Mourinho to consider 19-year-old central defender Mario Rivas for upcoming squad lists. Asencio will undergo surgery for a tibial stress fissure, with his absence estimated at two to three months.

The defensive crisis deepened further as Ibrahima Konaté is also injured and left the France national team, while Dean Huijsen will miss the match against Villarreal. These combined absences left Mourinho’s defense depleted, forcing the club to look internally for solutions within Chamartín.

Injuries Restrict Central Defense Options

The sequence of injuries severely restricts the manager’s options in the central defense. Alongside Asencio's upcoming surgery and Militao's continued absence, the squad must play upcoming fixtures without key personnel, giving young prospects within Valdebebas more opportunities.

Mario Rivas Emerges as the Solution

Mario Rivas, a 19-year-old central defender, has previously been included in five matchday squads this season by Mourinho, though he has not yet made his official debut. Rivas was a personal bet of Raúl González during the 2024-25 season, making 30 starts in Primera Federación. After experiencing a reduction in playing time following Raúl’s departure, Rivas rebounded by helping Spain win the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, starting the final against Germany, scoring the second goal, and earning a spot in the tournament’s ideal eleven.

Mourinho subsequently took him on pre-season with the first team, where Rivas scored against Ferencváros. With the current defensive emergency, the young central defender is positioned to participate in upcoming squad lists as the club seeks to stabilize its backline.