Real Madrid vs Olympique Marseille: Real Madrid has received a major boost ahead of their Champions League opener against Marseille, with the return of midfielders Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga to the squad.
The two players have been included in Xabi Alonso’s 23-player roster, marking their first eligibility for selection in the 2025-26 season. While they're unlikely to start, their presence provides much-needed depth and quality for the crucial home fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Bellingham's return is particularly surprising, as he was expected to be sidelined until mid-October following shoulder surgery over the summer. The England international's speedy recovery puts him a month ahead of schedule, a welcome development for a Real Madrid side that has missed their No. 10. All eyes will be on Bellingham should he make an appearance, as he's known for his ability to "pull the strings" of the attack on European nights.
For Camavinga, the return marks an end to a challenging five-month period. The Frenchman missed the end of last season due to an abductor tear in April and then sustained an ankle injury in August, prolonging his stay in the infirmary.
This Champions League match could be his debut under the new manager, Alonso. While Real Madrid will be cautious with his return, a comfortable lead could see him earn a few minutes off the bench.
Coach Alonso acknowledged the significance of the Champions League at his pre-match press conference. "We're starting off with the utmost excitement of playing in the Champions League with Madrid. It's even more special for this club, and being at the Bernabéu is even more motivating," he told reporters. Alonso also praised star forward Kylian Mbappé, calling the Frenchman a "leader" and highlighting his exceptional start to the season with four goals and an assist in four La Liga matches.
The return of these two key midfielders couldn't come at a better time for Real Madrid. After a disappointing quarterfinal exit in the last Champions League campaign, the pressure is on the Spanish giants to start their 2025-26 campaign on a strong note and collect all three points in front of their home crowd. The inclusion of Bellingham and Camavinga is a major psychological and tactical advantage as they begin their quest for European redemption.