Real Madrid Starts Preseason with Xabi Alonso
Real Madrid has started its preseason under the direction of its new coach, Xabi Alonso. This important step comes just fifteen days before the start of the 2025-26 LaLiga season.
The first team’s squad was presented at the Valdebebas sports city on Monday morning. The players underwent medical examinations before conducting their first training session at 6 p.m., local time.
The LaLiga debut for the merengue team will be on Tuesday, August 19, facing Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
Real Madrid had requested the postponement of this match, arguing the lack of time for adequate preparation after their participation in the Club World Cup, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals on July 9.
However, a judge from the Spanish football federation rejected the request last week. Although the collective agreement establishes a minimum of 21 days of vacation for the players, there is no similar obligation regarding the time for physical and tactical preparation before the start of the season.
After the vacation period ended last week, Real Madrid players begin their preseason with only two weeks until their first official match.
As part of their preparation, the team will play a friendly against WSG Tirol in Innsbruck, Austria, on August 12.
Xabi Alonso took over Real Madrid before the Club World Cup, after the departure of Carlo Ancelotti, who left the club after a 2024-25 season without major titles. Alonso led the team to the semi-finals, where they were defeated 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain.
Madrid will play a pre-season match in Austria
Real Madrid has added Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Álvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono to its ranks, who will join the team next week upon turning 18. The club seeks to improve its performance from the previous season.
It is reported that the club does not plan to make any more signings unless there are any departures.
The team will start the season without Jude Bellingham, who underwent shoulder surgery after the Club World Cup, and without Endrick, who suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.
