Real Madrid Begin Preseason with 4–1 Comeback

Real Madrid have eased back into competitive rhythm with a 4–1 comeback victory over Leganés in a friendly so secretive it almost slipped past the radar. Played on Thursday morning at the club’s Valdebebas training base, the match marked the European champions’ first preseason outing — delayed by their extended run at the Club World Cup, where they bowed out in the semi-finals to Paris Saint-Germain.

There were no fans, no cameras, and no club announcements, yet Spanish outlet AS pieced together the story. Leganés, fielding a youthful XI mixed with a handful of senior players, struck first through Sule, putting the LaLiga giants on early alert. From there, Xabi Alonso’s side took control, rattling in four unanswered goals.

While the full list of scorers remains under wraps, Thiago Pitarch, a promising academy forward, was confirmed to have found the net after coming on as a substitute. The rest of the goals — kept under tight wraps by Madrid — only add to the mystery surrounding the low-profile fixture.

Alonso didn’t treat the game lightly. New signing Álvaro Carreras slotted in at left-back, while captain Dani Carvajal continued his recovery from the knee injury that sidelined him for much of last season. The starting XI also featured Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Federico Valverde, suggesting Madrid were intent on sharpening their stars from the outset.

Leganés boss Paco López opted for a mixed approach, giving game time to six senior squad members while filling the rest of the lineup with academy talent. Despite their early breakthrough, the Segunda División side struggled to contain Madrid’s second-half push.

If preseason is about building momentum quietly, Madrid have made a purposeful start — and perhaps enjoyed keeping the rest of the football world guessing.