Camavinga and Madrid: the player who doesn't know what he wants (and neither do we)
- Camavinga is the great enigma of Real Madrid's summer transfer market, without World Cup with France and uncertainty about his future
- Mourinho's arrival at Real Madrid generates expectation about what role the player will have in the new coach's technical plans
- Half of the Premier League is interested in Camavinga, reflecting the kafkaesque situation where neither the player nor the club seem to have clarity on his continuity
Eduardo Camavinga is 22 years old, plays for Real Madrid, won the Champions League, and this summer he's the protagonist of the most Kafkaesque transfer market story going. He's not going to the World Cup with France. Deschamps said no. And right now there are three official versions of what's going to happen with him, and none of them add up with the other two.
The three versions of the Camavinga problem
Version 1, according to the English media: Camavinga wants to leave Madrid. Manchester United and Liverpool are waiting. Exit price: 40 million euros. The Premier League is calling.
Version 2, according to Fabrizio Romano, the oracle of transfers: Camavinga loves Real Madrid and wants to stay. Manchester United hasn't made contact. None of what the English media are saying is real.
Version 3, probably closest to reality: Camavinga himself is at home, staring at his phone, not quite sure what he wants. Because at 22 years old, after an inconsistent season, missing out on the World Cup, and with a new manager who's just arrived, making a decision of that magnitude isn't easy.
The Mourinho factor: the big unknown
And then José Mourinho arrives. The Portuguese manager has his own very clear ideas about what kind of midfielder he wants. Mourinho has historically valued defensive work, intensity, players who do the dirty work. Camavinga has those qualities, but he also has inconsistency in his performances that Mourinho, who isn't exactly the most patient manager in the world, might not fancy.
The real question is: does Mourinho trust Camavinga as a key piece of his Madrid? If the answer is yes, the Frenchman stays and the summer passes without fanfare. If the answer is no, or even if it's a "maybe", Camavinga has every reason in the world to look for a project where he's the main man. At 22, with his level of talent, the time for playing second fiddle is over.
No World Cup: the blow that changes everything
Missing out on the World Cup with France is a massive blow on a personal and career level. At 22, in a World Cup being played in North America with the world's attention on it, staying at home while your generation mates compete on the biggest stage is a scenario no footballer wants. Deschamps made his decision, and that decision has consequences.
Real Madrid's summer is shaping up nicely. Mourinho in the dugout, the market open, and Camavinga centre stage in the debate. If he ends up staying, he needs a season of the highest level. If he leaves, Madrid need to quickly find someone to fill that midfield void. Either way, this story has many chapters left to unfold.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camavinga going to the 2026 World Cup with France?
No. Didier Deschamps left Eduardo Camavinga out of France's squad for the 2026 World Cup, despite his 22 years and his career at Real Madrid.
What is Camavinga's future at Real Madrid?
Contradictory reports are circulating: English media point to possible interest from Manchester United and Liverpool with an exit price around 40 million, while other sources deny this.
How old is Camavinga and what has he won?
Eduardo Camavinga is 22 years old, plays for Real Madrid and has won the Champions League, despite missing out on the 2026 World Cup.
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