No advantage for Real Madrid - Xabi Alonso's side lose case as court deny appeal

La Liga scheduled Real Madrid's first match of the 2025/2026 season against Osasuna for Tuesday, August 19th at 9:00 PM at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, just 41 days after their last Club World Cup appearance.

Real Madrid played their final Club World Cup match on July 9th, losing 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

According to Sports, Real Madrid argued that this date violated the "minimum rest and preparation period for the new season" established in the collective bargaining agreement for professional football in Spain.

RFEF judge José Alberto Peláez denied Real Madrid's request for postponement on Thursday. He stated that Real Madrid's players began their rest period on July 11th, giving them the 21 days of continuous leave stipulated in the collective agreement.

According to the judge, the rules do not mention a further 21 days for physical and tactical preparation, as claimed by Real Madrid and the players' union AFE. Real Madrid has 48 hours to appeal the decision.

Rival FC Barcelona will kick off their league campaign on Saturday, August 16th, away to RCD Mallorca, home to Slovakian goalkeeper Dominik Greif and defender Martin Valjent. Atlético Madrid, featuring Slovakian defender Dávid Hancko, will play on Sunday, August 17th against Espanyol Barcelona.