REAL MADRID
Real Madrid concerned about burnout from Copa América and Euro 24
‘Los Blancos’ currently have fourteen players from the first team squad away on international duty during the first FIFA international window of 2024.
The first international window has seen most of Real Madrid’s first team squad be called away for international duty with their respective nations with two major tournaments looming this summer in the shape of Euro 2024 and the 2024 Copa America.
The Santiago Bernabeu club are now plotting next pre-season in the knowledge that many of the players will still be involved in action with the Euros which are held from June 14 to July 14 and the Copa América running from June 21 to July 15 or enjoying a well earned break after the demands of the 2023-34 campaign. Real Madrid are expected to embark on a brief East Coast American tour in July with games planned in New Jersey and Boston and it’s likely the games will not feature some of the big name regular stars.
14 called up
Toni Kroos announced a return to the international game and the midfielder is one of fourteen players currently on international duty with Germany hosting this summer’s European Championships.
Carvajal and Joselu (Spain); Camavinga and Tchouameni (France); Kroos and Rüdiger (Germany); Modric (Croatia); Jude Bellingham (England); Güler (Türkiye); Lunin (Ukraine); Brahim (making his Morocco debut); Valverde (Uruguay) and the Brazilians Vinicius and Rodrygo are the implicated players with Lunin set to be involved in the highest profile game as Ukraine compete in the playoff for one of the final three places available at Euro 24.
Injured
Madrid could have had seventeen players absent had Alaba, Courtois and Militao been fit with the trio regulars with their respective national teams of Germany, Belgium and Brazil.
Only nine players remain in Madrid (including the three mentioned long-term injuries): Kepa, Nacho, Fran García, Mendy, Ceballos and Lucas Vázquez.
Carlo Ancelotti will take training today in Valdebebas with many Castilla players expected to compliment the group and the Italian will be crossing his fingers in the hope that all fourteen players emerge from the international break with no new injury concerns as the club face a crucial stretch of games in April.