It often feels like every single element of the football world is getting amplified more and more, year on year, and one of those elements is pre-season friendlies. There are loads of them, they take place all over the world, and they are often part of a new sponsored tournament.
One team that has not been playing too many friendlies so far in 2023 is Real Madrid. They seem to be choosing to cram them in later in the summer, but they have still managed to get two impressive wins against quality opposition under their belts.
Considering they are entering a season without Karim Benzema, who has not been directly replaced, there is a huge amount of attention on Los Blancos. It is also set to be the last under Carlo Ancelotti ahead of taking over the Brazil national team at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
Here is a look at who has been catching the eye so far for Real Madrid ahead of the new campaign.
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Real Madrid's pre-season schedule
As mentioned, Real Madrid have only played two pre-season games so far this summer but there are quite a few still to come, and they are against big teams. The Spanish side never shy away from a challenge so they have taken on AC Milan and Manchester United so far.
They were actually 2-0 down at half time against Milan, but rallied to win that game 3-2. They were much more comfortable against Man United, taking an early lead through Jude Bellingham before securing the win with a great overhead kick from Joselu late on.
Real Madrid's best pre-season performers so far
Jude Bellingham
The footballing world is desperate to see if Jude Bellingham can make the step up to Real Madrid. It is another level compared to Borussia Dortmund and there is a huge weight of expectation on his shoulders now, as well as a big transfer fee.
Based on the two friendlies, he looks like he can handle it.
Bellingham stands tall and has the athleticism to play a free role in Carlo Ancelott's midfield. He showed this with a wonderful against Manchester United as he broke through the midfield, received the ball with one touch and then perfectly chipped Andre Onana. He was the standout performer in that game and looks set to only get better at Real Madrid.
Federico Valverde
Federico Valverde is not a particularly fashionable midfielder but he is certainly effective. He showed the many facets of his game against Milan and was crucial to Real Madrid getting their pre-season underway with a victory.
With his team 2-0 down, two long-range strikes from Valverde dragged Ancelotti's side level. He can offer goals to the team, he is wonderful at tackling, and he can also play in so many different positions. If Real Madrid make the right signings, he could get more time in midfield next season rather than at full-back.
Joselu
To be honest, this pick is largely down to the fact that he had the audacity to score an overhead kick in a pre-season friendly. In a wider sense, Joselu has got a very small window to make a real impression at Real Madrid and that goal shows that he is trying to take it.
He played half of the game against Milan and then came on against Man United. Real Madrid are yet to sign what you would call a Karim Benzema replacement, so Joselu needs to just play as well as he can and hope that Ancelotti is impressed. A perfectly executed overhead kick will certainly do no harm.
This article was originally published on 90min as Real Madrid's best players in 2023/24 pre-season so far.
