Mbappé Takes Over Modrić's Number 10 Shirt

Real Madrid has kicked off their preseason as the squad returned to training at Valdebebas. With only 15 days before LaLiga begins, the team faces an unusual preparation phase, playing just one friendly match on August 12 in Austria before facing Osasuna in the first official fixture.

The biggest storyline is the arrival of Kylian Mbappé, who joins for the first time as the team’s star and will wear the iconic number 10 jersey, previously worn by Luka Modrić. The French forward is the club’s major hope to reclaim the league title, and his presence in training has already sparked excitement among fans.

Alonso Puts Trust in His New Group

Head coach Xabi Alonso begins his first season in charge of Real Madrid and has made it clear that every player will have to earn their place. Key figures like Vinicius Júnior, Federico Valverde, and Aurélien Tchouaméni aim to solidify their roles, while young talents such as Arda Güler and Brahim Díaz hope to make a breakthrough.

In defense, the return of Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão from long-term injuries provides a significant boost, while Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin offer reliability in goal. Meanwhile, David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger are working to be fully fit for the season start.

A Preseason With Clear Objectives

The coaching staff has laid out a plan focused on physical conditioning and fine-tuning tactical details, all aimed at reaching peak form for LaLiga’s opening weekend. Players like Eduardo Camavinga, Fran García, and young Brazilian Endrick—still recovering from injury—will play key roles in the squad rotation.