Goal: Asensio Returns to Team Training, Future Still Awaits Mourinho's Decision

According to Goal, a new face appeared at Real Madrid's training ground on Thursday morning, disrupting the team's preparations 48 hours before their La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano.

Young centre-back Raul Asensio had been absent since the start of the season, but he has now officially joined team training, accelerating his recovery process. At this stage, he is waiting for a key decision from manager Mourinho, while uncertainty surrounding his future on and off the pitch continues to trouble him.

Asensio has not played any official matches this season. He suffered a tendon tear during pre-season preparations and has now completed his first training session with the squad. The player's physical condition appears good, and the medical staff hope to use the upcoming international break to help him fully recover and return to his best form.

His return comes at an ideal time. Last summer, Asensio was close to leaving the club, but an injury disrupted a possible transfer, especially after Real Madrid signed French centre-back Konate, further intensifying competition in defence.

In contrast to Asensio's return, Real Madrid's injury list remains lengthy. Militao, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo are still carrying out individual rehabilitation programmes according to their respective plans, with recovery work continuing both on and off the pitch.

According to AS, Militao and Mendy are expected to enter the final stages of their rehabilitation in the coming weeks, while Brazilian player Rodrygo will need several more months to fully recover from his cruciate ligament tear.

Although Asensio's return is good news for Mourinho, the player's future at Real Madrid remains uncertain.

The player was recently acquitted and cleared in a case involving the distribution of a video. The incident caused major controversy last season. However, in August last year, he was also punished for driving under the influence after testing positive for alcohol, bringing him back into the spotlight.

The incident did not escape the attention of the Portuguese coach. Mourinho took a firm stance at the time, and his comments reflected the level of dissatisfaction within the club. After the incident became public, he said: "When he is physically available to play, nobody trains harder or performs better than him."

He continued: "But being a Real Madrid player means you are a Real Madrid player 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. I am not satisfied. We all make mistakes, but when mistakes are repeated, that is something else."