Real Madrid will return to training on August 4, giving Xabi Alonso’s men only 15 days of preseason before their La Liga 2025-26 opener against Osasuna on August 19. In between, they will play a friendly clash against Austrian side WSG Tirol on August 12—a crucial tune-up for a side running against the clock. Despite debates over regulations, recommendations, and broken agreements, the countdown to a packed campaign has begun at Valdebebas.
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A Preseason Against the Clock
The situation is clear: Real Madrid have just 15 days to prepare for La Liga 2025-26. Their opener against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu looms large on August 19, leaving little room for tactical drills or physical conditioning.
Madrid’s players are set to report back to Valdebebas on Monday, August 4, first thing in the morning. There will be no overseas training camp—time is simply too short. Everything will take place in Madrid, in what will resemble a Covid-era compressed preseason rather than a standard preparation phase.
The Vacation Agreement Fulfilled
Why not start earlier? Regulations provide the answer. After being eliminated by PSG on July 10 in the Club World Cup, players were entitled to 21 consecutive days of vacation—an agreement enshrined in Spanish football’s collective framework. Real Madrid granted 24 days off, with July 11 as the official start date of rest. This meant the earliest possible return was August 1.
Yet the club opted for August 4, giving its stars additional recovery after a long and draining season. For Chamartín, this decision balances player health with competition demands. For La Liga, however, it added “fuel to the fire”—since technically Madrid could have returned on the 1st.
Friendly in Austria: A Key Warm-up
With time short, the only scheduled friendly before the season begins will be against WSG Tirol in Austria on August 12. This match offers Alonso a chance to evaluate fitness levels, test tactical schemes, and experiment with rotations ahead of the Osasuna clash.
| Match | Date | Venue | Kick-off (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| WSG Tirol vs Real Madrid | August 12, 2025 | Tivoli Stadion Tirol, Innsbruck | 10:30 PM (IST) |
The Gentleman’s Agreement That Never Was
Back in May, a “gentleman’s agreement” was reportedly struck between La Liga, the RFEF, and AFE. Players like Dani Carvajal and Koke were assured that if Spanish teams reached the Club World Cup semifinals, the La Liga opener would be postponed to allow at least three weeks of preseason.
However, La Liga later denied such an agreement existed, maintaining that two weeks of preparation are sufficient. This left Madrid and Osasuna—both open to postponement—at odds with La Liga, which cited regulations and precedent: neither PSG in Ligue 1 nor Chelsea in the Premier League had their openers delayed despite similar Club World Cup commitments.
Regulatory vs Moral Grounds
The crux of the debate lies in the gap between regulation and recommendation. FIFA recommends 4–5 weeks of preseason, but this is not binding. Spanish regulations only guarantee vacation time, which Madrid’s players received.
The Sole Judge overseeing the dispute eventually sided with La Liga: no force majeure existed, no rules were violated, and therefore the match must proceed. For the judge, Madrid’s squad depth (23 registered players with two slots still open) ensures they can rotate and compete, even with limited preparation.
Looking Ahead: La Liga 2025-26 Awaits
Xabi Alonso faces the challenge of molding his squad in record time. Fifteen days of training, a single friendly, and then straight into a high-pressure opener against Osasuna at the Bernabéu.
Madrid’s compressed preseason may ignite a broader conversation about fixture congestion and player welfare in future seasons. For now, though, the reality is set: August 4 is the return date, August 12 the warm-up, and August 19 the test.
Key Dates for Real Madrid Preseason
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Players return to training | August 4 | Valdebebas, Madrid |
| Friendly vs WSG Tirol | August 12 | Innsbruck, Austria |
| Real Madrid’s La Liga 2025-26 opener vs Osasuna | August 19 | Santiago Bernabéu |
Real Madrid’s road to La Liga 2025-26 is set in stone: a return on August 4, a lone friendly in Austria, and then a curtain-raising clash with Osasuna. With only 15 days to prepare, Alonso’s side must compress weeks of work into days. Whether this short buildup affects Madrid’s rhythm remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the spotlight on scheduling and player welfare will only grow brighter.
Read More: Real Madrid-Osasuna Clash Set for August 19 as La Liga 2025-26 Opener Proceeds Without Delay
FAQs
When will Real Madrid return to training?
Real Madrid return to Valdebebas on August 4 after 24 days of vacation.
Who will Real Madrid face in preseason?
They will play only one friendly, against WSG Tirol on August 12 in Austria.
Why isn’t Real Madrid holding a training camp abroad?
Time is too short; with only 15 days before La Liga starts, training will remain in Madrid.
Why did Real Madrid choose August 4 instead of August 1 to return?
They granted players extra rest, extending vacation to 24 days instead of the minimum 21.
What is Real Madrid’s first La Liga 2025-26 match?
They face Osasuna on August 19 at the Santiago Bernabéu.
