Real Madrid Continue Preparations for Athletic Club Clash
Carvajal trains ahead of his Bernabéu farewell, while Vinicius Jr., Tchouameni, and Trent were all absent
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 21: Jude Bellingham player of Real Madrid is training at Ciudad Real Madrid on May 21, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Real Madrid via Getty Images) | Real Madrid via Getty Images Real Madrid completed another training session at Valdebebas on Thursday morning as they continued preparing for Saturday’s La Liga finale against Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabéu.
With the season set to conclude this weekend, the session featured a mix of positive returns and continued absences for Alvaro Arbeloa’s squad. The workout began indoors with strength and conditioning exercises before moving onto the pitch, where the players worked through rondos, possession drills, and small-sided matches. One of the players who returned for Real Madrid was Fede Valverde, who is back in training after missing the team’s last three league games due to a knock suffered from his scuffle with Aurelien Thouameni.
The Uruguayan is expected to be available for Saturday’s match and could slot back into the starting lineup for the final game of the campaign. Dani Carvajal also trained normally with the group. The veteran full-back is expected to start against Athletic Club in what will be an emotional farewell appearance at the Bernabéu.
The club is preparing a tribute for Carvajal, who recently confirmed that he will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season after a legendary career in white. However, Madrid were still without several key players in today’s training. Aurélien Tchouaméni remained indoors due to muscle discomfort and is increasingly unlikely to feature this weekend.