According to a post by Fabrizio Romano on X on Thursday, November 5, 2026, José Mourinho has admitted that he is frustrated by the difficulty of giving all his talented players regular playing time at Real Madrid.

The Portuguese coach made the remark while discussing the depth of his squad and the challenge of leaving quality players out of his starting line-up.

“It makes me angry how many great players I have that I can’t play or start every game,” Mourinho said.

His comments came after Real Madrid secured a 3-2 comeback victory over AEK Athens in the Champions League on Wednesday, November 4.

Brazilian forward Endrick was among the players Mourinho praised after the encounter. The youngster came off the bench and impressed with his impact against defenders who had already spent much of the match on the pitch.

Mourinho explained that facing Endrick late in a game presents a particularly difficult challenge for opposing full-backs.

He described the prospect of dealing with the Brazilian after an hour of defending against another quality attacker as a difficult situation for any opponent.

The manager also praised the strength of his available options, suggesting that the competition for places gives him several alternatives when making substitutions.

Mourinho acknowledged that players who do not regularly start also deserve opportunities, pointing to the performances of squad members when called upon.

His remarks highlight the selection challenge facing the coach as he manages a squad containing several high-profile players.

For Endrick, the comments represent public recognition of the qualities he brings from the bench, even as he continues to compete for a regular starting position.

Mourinho's challenge is to balance individual expectations with the demands of winning matches and maintaining competition within the squad.