Real Madrid and Atletico have both suffered significant blows just days before the start of the FIFA Club World Cup. The expanded club tournament begins on Sunday and runs through until 13 July. Real Madrid's group features Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, Mexico's Pachuca and Austria's RB Salzburg.

La Liga have confirmed there will be no change to the start date of the 2025/26 season despite rumoured objections from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Both sides are facing a marathon summer as they head into the new campaign on the back of competing at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Their failure to win any major trophies last season has led to a revolution at Real Madrid, starting with a change of head coach: Xabi Alonso in for Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian, who already has a new job managing Brazil’s national team,