Perez Overrides Alonso's Wish: Pintus Returns to Steady Real Madrid's Injury Crisis
5 January 2026
Madrid's injury crisis prompts a bold decree
Florentino Perez, Real Madrid's president, issued a decree after the first team endured a season of heavy injuries.
Pintus returns to lead the physical preparation
Spanish journalist Alberto Pereiro on Ondacero says Pintus will return to Real Madrid's first team to work with players; Perez pressed for his comeback.
Staff changes reflect Madrid's shift in approach
Although Madrid kept Pintus after Carlo Ancelotti's departure, his role was reduced to Head of Performance, while Ismael Caminforti designed the season's training program and supervised workouts at coach Xabi Alonso's request since the Club World Cup.
Ramon Alvarez de Mon of Radio Marca said on X that changes in physical prep and the medical staff were becoming clear.
He added: Pintus will regain full authority over physical preparation, and Caminforti, the former head of medical services, will return. This follows issues that displeased officials about recent management.
He concluded: We will see how things unfold; this return was not problem-free in the past, but Madrid believes it will improve injuries and bring stability.
Punchline 1: If injuries paid rent, Real Madrid would own the stadium. Punchline 2: Pintus is back — hamstrings warned.
