Real Madrid duo expected to be on the US pre-season tour after early Euro exit | OneFootball

With the UEFA Euro 2024 knockout stages kicking off later tonight, Real Madrid have a number of players representing their national teams at the tournament in Germany.

But, a couple of Los Blancos stars have had to deal with the disappointment of an early exit as Luka Modric’s Croatia and Andriy Lunin’s Ukraine were eliminated from the competition after the group stage itself.

Modric, Lunin to be on the US tour

Now, AS reports that following their early elimination from the UEFA Euro 2024, both Luka Modric and Andriy Lunin would be expected to be a part of the travelling squad for Real Madrid’s pre-season tour of the USA.

As per the report, only those Real Madrid players who reach at least the semi-finals of the European Championship or the Copa America will be allowed to be absent from the US trip.

And with Modric and Lunin becoming the first Merengues’ stars to be eliminated from the Euros, they are expected to join the expedition that will travel to the United States on 28 July.

Lunin will return to pre-season earlier than expected. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Real Madrid will start their US tour in Chicago with a friendly against AC Milan on July 31, before travelling to New Jersey to face Barcelona in a Clasico three days later.

The reigning Spanish and European champions will wind up their tour with a game against Chelsea in North Carolina on August 6.

When does the pre-season start and who will be available?

Ancelotti has informed his players who are not involved in any international competitions to reconvene for pre-season training on July 15.

As things stand, Thibaut Courtois, Fran Gonzalez, Fran Garcia, David Alaba, Lucas Vazquez, Dani Ceballos, and Brahim Diaz are expected to be present, along with returning loanees Reinier Jesus and Jesus Vallejo.

Rafa Marin would also have been called up but is expected to finalise a move away to Napoli in the coming days.

Modric and Lunin could also join the aforementioned players earlier than expected following their Euro exits.