Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodríguez, Casemiro and Luka Modric were absent from Rafa Benítez’s first meeting as Real Madrid coach. Madrid start pre-season work on Friday before they jet off to Australia on Sunday for their first tour but some players were given permission to miss Thursday’s meeting.
Ronaldo will return to Valdebebas on July 12 and travel straight to Australia. Casemiro and James, meanwhile, will not be part of the tour owing to their involvement in the Copa América. The pair have been handed extended holidays until July 23. Toni Kroos returned after Germany coach Joachim Löw left him out of his last squad, allowing the midfielder 49 days of holiday, the same as Modric.