Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham have praised José Mourinho -- Mbappé saying the coach "knows how to win" and Bellingham calling him "a dream" to work with -- as Real Madrid prepare to kick off the LaLiga season next week.
Forward Mbappé and midfielder Bellingham both returned to training at Valdebebas this week ahead of the new campaign, with Mourinho back at Madrid for his second spell in charge, after the team struggled last season under Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa.
Madrid have gone two years without a major trophy, with their last successes coming in 2023-24 -- Bellingham's debut season -- when the team won a LaLiga and Champions League double before Mbappé's arrival.
"It's very positive to have a coach like [Mourinho], who knows how to win," Mbappé told Real Madrid TV on Friday. "Players love having a coach who knows where he's going, that's positive for us.
"I think we're going to win trophies this year. I'm sure of that, it's what we want, and it's going to happen. The team is enthusiastic, we'll be focused all year. There's nothing more important than winning trophies."
Madrid's start to the LaLiga season was delayed after Spain reached the World Cup final, with their first game coming away at Espanyol on Aug. 22, with a friendly at Schalke this Sunday.
Bellingham was the last Madrid player to return for preseason training, joining his teammates at Valdebebas on Wednesday.
"I feel like I already have a relationship with [Mourinho]," Bellingham told Real Madrid TV on Thursday. "It's a dream for me to work with a coach like Mourinho. I've only had one chance to see him, but I'm very excited to see what he's like.
"[I've been] running a lot in the heat, playing a lot of football with my teammates," he said. "It's tough, but it's good as well, to enjoy it, this suffering! I really like this kind of hard work."
The midfielder shone for England at the World Cup, scoring seven goals in their run to the semifinals, where they were eliminated by Argentina.
"The World Cup was a great experience for me and my England teammates," Bellingham said, "But I'm ready to come back and compete. Hopefully, we can win."
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Madrid finished second in LaLiga last season, eight points behind champions Barcelona, and were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals by Bayern Munich.
The club have signed Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries and Carlos Espí during this transfer window.
"I'm a bit more mature now, I have more experience," Bellingham said, when asked about his role in the squad." I have a good feeling about this season with the new signings and the coach, and let's see ... It's an honour and a privilege for me to play for this club. I hope it will be for many more years."