José Mourinho's return to Real Madrid is looking more likely by the day—a full 13 years after his first spell at the Bernabéu. But before the Special One's potential second act, let's take a trip down memory lane to where it all began.

Mourinho's official debut as Real Madrid manager came on August 29, 2010, against Michael Laudrup's RCD Mallorca. The match ended in a goalless draw, but it marked the start of an era that would reshape the club's identity. That day, Mourinho fielded a lineup packed with both household names and future legends: Iker Casillas in goal, Álvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Ricardo Carvalho, and Marcelo across the back; Xabi Alonso and Lassana Diarra holding the midfield; Ángel Di María, Sergio Canales, and Cristiano Ronaldo providing the creative spark; and Gonzalo Higuaín leading the line.

Interestingly, five players made their official Real Madrid debuts in that match. Carvalho, Di María, and Canales all started, while Sami Khedira and Mesut Özil came off the bench to make their first appearances in white. Fast forward to today, and most of those names have hung up their boots. The only two still playing professionally are Di María—now dazzling fans back in Argentina—and Ronaldo, who continues to find the net in Saudi Arabia.

Perhaps the most poetic twist in this story is that two of the players on that pitch—Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa—would go on to manage Real Madrid themselves before Mourinho's potential return. They were right there, playing under him in his very first official game, and now the managerial carousel has come full circle.