Jose Mourinho has addressed a wide range of issues ahead of Real Madrid's La Liga meeting with Real Betis, with the manager offering a firm defence of Raul Asencio's professionalism while making clear that the defender's conduct away from football cannot simply be ignored.
Mourinho also explained Dani Ceballos' departure, discussed new signing Sergio Martinez and offered his assessment of the Julian Alvarez situation at Atletico Madrid.
The Portuguese coach was speaking before Real Madrid's fourth league game of the 2026/27 season, with a difficult trip to Betis awaiting his side.
On the challenge facing his team, Mourinho issued a blunt warning.
"They will need to put in a top performance. Otherwise, they won't win. Betis are a very good side, given Real Madrid's recent results there.
"It's difficult to win there. And to do so, you have to be at your very best. There's no other way."
Asencio was inevitably one of the major talking points after his recent conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Mourinho revealed that he had spoken to the defender when he first arrived at Madrid but has not continued discussing his off-field problems.
"I spoke to him when I arrived. I did so because of things that had happened in the past.
"Since I arrived, I haven't spoken to him any more. I no longer discuss matters outside Valdebebas. Because inside, he's a true professional.
"When he was fit, nobody trained harder or better than him. Now that he's injured, he's the first to arrive and the last to leave. Extreme dedication.
"But a Real Madrid player is one 24 hours a day. What you do outside can damage your reputation and that of the club.
"I'm not happy. But never mind, we all make mistakes. But when they pile up, it's a different matter."
Mourinho also refused to speculate on Asencio's immediate sporting future while Real Madrid's internal investigation remains ongoing.
"The club has launched an investigation and, as his manager, whilst that investigation is ongoing, I regard him as a Real Madrid player.
"He will remain so for a few more weeks. This helps me to stay out of the problem you've mentioned. He's a Real Madrid player."
The manager also explained how Ceballos' exit was agreed after telling the midfielder he was not part of his plans.
"We spoke on the phone for three minutes; I told him I wasn't counting on him.
"And although players often cling to their contracts, in this case he understood the situation and said he'd prefer to become a free agent and decide his own future.
"We reached an agreement, terminated his contract, and Ceballos was free to decide for himself."
Mourinho confirmed that Sergio Martínez will be included in the squad against Betis after only a few days of training with the first team.
"He'll be on the bench tomorrow. And from that you can already see, more or less, what the plan is.
"He's only trained with the first team for a few days, but the club has signed him because we've analysed him and seen that he's a lad with potential.
"Tomorrow he'll be there, along with Mario Rivas and Jorge Cestero, and we'll see if he plays. But it's already a step forward."
The Real Madrid boss was also asked about Lionel Messi's retirement from international football and spoke with obvious admiration for the Argentine.
"There are no words that can describe his quality as a player.
"He's one of those players you're going to miss. We'll have to watch a few MLS matches – which isn't really my cup of tea – to make the most of these final years.
"He's one of those players who, as I said in a previous press conference, you'll always miss. And he's one of the greats of our generation."
On the ongoing Alvarez-Barcelona situation, Mourinho was reluctant to get involved but offered his own view on how players should approach unsettled situations.
"That situation… no one knows it better than Simeone. And I don't see him having absolutely anything to say about it.
"What I usually say is that when a player isn't happy, by 1 September he'd better be happy or he won't play.
"My feeling is that from yesterday onwards, and at least until the end of the season, he'll be an important player for his club."
Mourinho also expects Atletico Madrid to compete for the title, alongside Barcelona, Real Madrid and the leading Champions League contenders.
"I reckon Atleti will be in the mix too, and even if they don't say so publicly, they'll feel they can do it.
"For me, they're contenders as well. Then there are the teams in the Champions League places – Betis, Real… they're strong sides. And tomorrow we'll see just how strong Betis are."
The manager would not reveal whether he intends to rotate his midfield with the Champions League in mind.
"We will talk about that after the match. But until then, let me be optimistic and happy. We'll focus on Betis and put this whole business behind us."
Mourinho also confirmed that he has spoken to former Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa, although not for information about his current squad.
"Not with Xabi Alonso. I have spoken to Alvaro Arbeloa, though. But it wasn't because of him – I'd already got the information myself.
"It's not easy for a former manager to talk about your previous situation. But it wasn't because of him."
Lastly, the Portuguese was asked about his opinion on Luka Modric, who has said glowing words about the manager.
Discussing his transfer from Tottenham, Mourinho concluded, "Real Madrid were almost at the point of saying 'it's impossible', but the player wanted it.
"Because he could play as a six, an eight or a ten. He was the ideal man. You lot drove me mad for a few months (he smiles). But then… it all fell into place."