Running on empty – Real Madrid among most overworked teams heading into Club World Cup | OneFootball

The season has been long and tiring for Real Madrid so far and things aren’t expected to get any better as they arrive in Miami today to prepare for the FIFA Club World Cup.

The first edition of the reformatted FIFA Club World Cup is going to be historic and exciting but equally tiring, with no less than 32 teams competing for the prize.

Real Madrid have had no rest

Things will get particularly difficult for Real Madrid, who have no breather over the year or so, reports Mundo Deportivo.

While La Liga ended last month, several players were on national team duty for the FIFA international break and Nations League Final Four, and now, they jump straight into another competition.

As per the report, Madrid rank third among all Club World Cup participants in terms of average minutes played per player since August 1, a staggering 3150 minutes.

Only Manchester City (3183) and Palmeiras (3156) have played more football since August last year.

Federico Valverde has had no rest since last summer (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Federico Valverde has been leading the charge when it comes to most minutes played for Los Blancos.

The Uruguayan has racked up a whopping 6,102 minutes across 66 matches, more than any of the 994 players set to take part in the U.S.-based tournament. Even without counting added time, Valverde still tops the list with 5,600 minutes.

The midfielder is set to accumulate more minutes as Real Madrid look to not only participate the Club World Cup but dominate the competition.

Fortunately, new coach Xabi Alonso will be blessed with the availability of two of Real Madrid’s three new signings in Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Spanish giants will kick off the tournament against Al Hilal at Hard Rock Stadium on June 18, before facing Pachuca in Charlotte and closing the group stage against Salzburg in Philadelphia.