Real Madrid Shocks Fans by Skipping Entire Preseason Schedule This Summer

In contrast to their main competitors Barcelona, Real Madrid have no friendly matches scheduled before the 2025–26 campaign begins.

Time is running out before Real Madrid begins their inaugural La Liga season under Xabi Alonso's guidance. The new manager faces mounting pressure to restore the team to title-winning form after Los Blancos couldn't retain their domestic and continental crowns in the previous campaign.

Normally, Real Madrid would engage in several preseason contests to gear up for the upcoming season. However, this summer marks an exception, as the club has zero friendlies planned for August prior to launching their 2025–26 campaign.

Due to Real Madrid's participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, they will skip all preseason exhibitions this summer. Following a grueling 68-game schedule across various tournaments last season, the squad is utilizing this period for rest and rehabilitation.

The Club World Cup effectively functioned as Los Blancos' preseason preparation, albeit with the heightened pressure of trophy competition against elite global clubs. Real Madrid contested six games during their semifinal journey, facing formidable opponents including Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.

Recent acquisitions Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen made their first appearances in the expanded tournament, similar to what would occur in traditional preseason encounters. Alonso also utilized numerous academy prospects at the Club World Cup, notably Gonzalo García, who claimed the tournament's Golden Boot award with four goals across six matches.

The valuable experience gained by the squad in the United States likely surpasses what they would achieve through standard preseason friendlies against weaker opposition.

The drawback is that when Real Madrid faces Osasuna on Aug. 19 for their 2025–26 season opener, they will have been inactive for six weeks.