Real Madrid To Give Players In-Season Break – Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has expressed concerns about fixture congestion and its impact on player welfare.

In light of this, Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Real Madrid are contemplating providing individual holidays for players during the season to ensure they get the necessary rest and time with their families.

Ancelotti emphasized the need for players, especially those involved in international competitions, to have sufficient rest periods.

Hence, they may go on an in-season one-week break to spend time with their families. This initiative is being assessed in collaboration with the medical and physical training staff, according to the Italian tactician.

“The players need rest, they need holidays, and we are thinking about giving individual holidays to the players during the season,” Carlo Ancelotti told reporters ahead of Real Madrid’s clash with Mallorca at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 18.

“We are thinking about giving in-season breaks, giving a week off for a player so he can go and stay with his family, especially international players, who have very little rest because they usually don’t get even a day’s holiday in international breaks.

“We are assessing it with the medical staff and the physical preparation.”

Real Madrid’s successful 2023-2024 season, which saw them clinch the La Liga title and the Champions League, was followed by several players participating in Euro 2024 or Copa America over the summer. They started this season with a Super Cup victory over Atalanta.

With the 2024-2025 season set to feature expanded European club competitions and additional tournaments such as the new Fifa Intercontinental Cup, the club aims to proactively manage the players’ workload and well-being.

The 2024-2025 season will culminate with the Champions League final on 31 May, followed by a window of international games from 2-10 June 2025 and the start of the expended Fifa Club World Cup.

“At the moment we still don’t even know the date [of the Club World Cup], same with the Intercontinental Cup,” Carlo Ancelotti said.

“We are bidding for seven titles but we still don’t know when or how.

“The 2025-26 season might start earlier because of the [2026] World Cup, so we have to plan accordingly starting this season.

“For example, when Vinicius Jr comes back after playing with Brazil, instead of playing in La Liga, he rests for three or four days, he goes on holiday and then he comes back.

“That’s the only way. Normally those players train, even if they don’t play. But we’re going to take that away, let them do what they want on those days. That’s what we’re going to do.”