Real Madrid has kicked off its preseason with one clear goal: to reclaim the spotlight after a disappointing campaign last year. Leading the charge is Xabi Alonso, who wasted no time in stamping his mark with grueling training sessions. This Tuesday, the squad completed its second workout, a nearly three-hour session filled with relentless physical demands that surprised many observers.

Nonstop Training… With Key Absentees

The coaching staff scheduled the session early in the day to avoid Madrid’s scorching summer heat. It began with strength and activation exercises in the gym, followed by ball-focused drills on the pitch: possession work, ball control, small-sided games, tactics, and finishing. A well-rounded session that showcased Alonso’s methodical and demanding approach.

However, Xabi Alonso is still missing several key players. Ferland Mendy is training individually due to ongoing physical issues; Jude Bellingham remains sidelined as he recovers from shoulder surgery, with a return expected in October; and Endrick is out with a muscular relapse suffered in May, keeping him unavailable until the end of September.

Meanwhile, Argentine prodigy Franco Mastantuono is already in Madrid but cannot officially join the squad until he turns 18 on August 14.

Battle for the No. 9: Gonzalo García vs. Endrick

One of the biggest topics at Valdebebas is who will inherit the iconic No. 9 shirt, left vacant after Kylian Mbappé opted to wear the No. 10. Two young talents are in the running: Endrick, who endured an inconsistent and injury-plagued debut season; and Gonzalo García, the academy product who stole the spotlight at the Club World Cup, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer.

Gonzalo has shown he has all the attributes Alonso values in a striker: lethal finishing, tactical awareness, and physical strength. With 25 goals for Castilla last season and in peak form, he’s working seamlessly with the first team. Endrick, meanwhile, is still sidelined and unable to compete for the spot—at least for now.

The competition is open, but time is ticking. The only friendly before the official La Liga debut is set for August 12 against WSG Tirol, ahead of the season opener versus Osasuna on August 19 at the Santiago Bernabéu. With a roster still under construction, Xabi Alonso is testing his squad’s limits from day one.

Could this intense preparation be the fuel for a new Real Madrid resurgence?