Ranking 5 best Real Madrid players in 2024-25 pre-season
Real Madrid had a slow start to pre-season, with the Spanish giants falling to two defeats in their three preseason games. But Los Blancos will still be confident of their abilities heading into their season opener against Italian side Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup on August 14.
The Madrid-based giants played their friendlies with a young core of players and will be pleased with the performances of their youngsters. The La Liga winners hope their youngsters can show their worth in the upcoming season despite their defeats and command a place in their all-conquering team.
With the 2024/25 season set to kick off, the legendary club might be disappointed to have lost two out of their three pre-season fixtures. However, Los Blancos will be pleased with the fringe players of the squad, who didn't do their market values any harm with their performances.
Some may be looking for more regular play time either in the club or with a transfer to somewhere else. We look at a few of Madrid's best players in pre-season.
#1 Brahim Diaz
Diaz started all three matches in pre-season for Real Madrid and was a standout performer in all these games, capping it with a goal and an assist in their final game, a 2-1 win against Chelsea. The 25-year-old looks set to stake his claim for a starting berth this season, going by his pre-season performances.
The Moroccan midfielder has played 65 times for the iconic club, scoring 14 goals and assisting 12. He was a part of the team crowned La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners last season, making 44 appearances, scoring 12 goals and assisting nine in that campaign.
#2 Dani Ceballos
Ceballos has been a faithful servant for Real Madrid but following Toni Kroos's retirement, he might have a say about a regular place in the starting lineup. The midfielder started all three matches in pre-season, and performed admirably in them, even though he didn't have a single-goal contribution in all three.
At 28, Ceballos is in his prime and has much to offer Real Madrid in the upcoming season. He has been with the Madrid-based club since 2017 and his current deal with the team expires in 2027 when he would have spent a decade contracted to the club.
#3 Arda Guler
Guler has been brilliant in pre-season contributing one assist in the two matches. He also enjoyed a good Euro 2024 campaign with Turkey where he bagged three g/a in five matches. Linked to a loan transfer to either AC Milan or Bayer Leverkusen, the talented midfielder looks good enough to feature for Los Blancos.
The Turkish international joined the 15-time Champions League winners last season and made 12 appearances, scoring six goals. His contract with the club runs till 2029.
#4 Lucas Vasquez
Vasquez is one of Real Madrid's longest-serving active players. He came through the team's academy and filled in when needed over the years. The 33-year-old's pre-season performances show he is a capable option for the European Champions in the upcoming season. He played the full 90 minutes in all three fixtures, even chipping in with a goal in the win against Chelsea.
Lucas Vasquez has been with Real Madrid since he joined their youth teams in 2007 and has made 349 appearances scoring 36 goals and assisting 65 in that time. He heads into the final year of his contract with the legendary club and will be remembered as a club icon if he departs next summer.
#5 Fran Garcia
The 24-year-old has been with Real Madrid since his U-17 days and will be keen to break into the first team.
The left-back played the full 90 minutes in all the friendly games, barring the loss to Barcelona. Ferland Mendy will have to keep an eye on his spot, with the young defender likely waiting and hoping to threaten his place on the team.
Garcia joined Los Blancos in the summer of 2023 and has played 32 times for the club, scoring once and assisting seven. His deal with the club runs until 2027.