New Season, Same Real Madrid Excellence

Our CEO Darrius got to spend time with the Real Madrid team members off the pitch and take in the behind-the-scenes action on the pitch as Madrid looked to prepare for their 2023/2024 season in Los Angeles. Excitement has been building for the upcoming season, so we had to take you along on the ins and outs of their high-level training regimen and fan interaction.

Inside the state-of-the-art make-shift training facilities at UCLA, the players' commitment to excellence was evident the moment they stepped on the pitch for their first day of preseason. You could just feel the professionalism from their warm-up to their technical activations. I couldn’t take my eyes off their precision. And talk about a first touch…

? Preseason essentials: Breakfast, ball control, and… box jumps?

During my D1 college playing career, we definitely had our hard training days… but we certainly never did strength training before stepping onto the pitch, that’s next level! It was incredible to see that Madrid did these before every session. Depending on where they were in their game day trajectory, the intensity levels varied from resistance calisthenics to exercises with weights and barbells.

The first day’s training included everyone’s shins’ favorite — box jumps. One of the best exercises for agility and explosion, the guys kicked off the session after dynamics with different size boxes to prepare themselves for full range of motion in game play. I couldn’t?imagine?doing weights and box jumps before training, but these guys made it look easy.

?? Breaking it down

Most of the work in the session was focused on defending set pieces and offensive counter attacks. Maybe it was something that the team saw as a weak spot last year, but the drills were tailored on playing quickly on the counter. Manager Carlo Ancelloti, deemed “the players’ coach,” was present and effortlessly commanded respect without having to say much. His son Davide is a natural, taking the reins as assistant coach leading the sessions. From beginning to end, the team looked organized and ready to take on the games versus AC Milan and later Man United, Barcelona and Juventus.

?? Captivating the fan’s hearts

After each exhilarating practice session here in LA, a fan’s favorite part happens: Each Real Madrid player demonstrates their appreciation and love for their devoted fanbase. As admiring kids and lifelong fans eagerly flooded the sidelines, the team took the time to make their day even more special. Signing autographs, posing for pictures, and engaging in heartfelt conversations, the players showed their gratitude for the unwavering support they receive from fans all over the world. After the second session, there was a large group of Croatian fans waiting for their captain Luka Modric, with kits and flags to sign.

These moments further solidify the deep bond between the players and their supporters. Fans of all ages left with smiles on their faces, cherishing memories that will last a lifetime. The players' commitment to making a positive impact off the field resonates with the club's ethos, reflecting the class and character that embodies Real Madrid.

? Looking Ahead: New signings, same Real Madrid standard of excellence

Bringing in their new major summer signing Jude Bellingham into the mix was definitely a key feature for the team. He was included in the starting lineup against AC Milan and scored his first goal a few days later. I had the chance to catch up with him and ask what was the biggest difference being at Madrid from Dortmund. He told me that the Madrid guys all just had a major culture of winning and their mindset to every drill was one of excellence.

?? There were a few spectators allowed inside the training ground, and I am grateful to have been there to experience another team’s training, especially seeing how they train during preseason. We shared some in-training videos on our socials, and we look forward to bringing more La Liga players’ pro tips to you directly. Thanks for following along with us, and as always… keep dreaming.