Real Madrid Absentees for Rafa Benítez's First Meeting

Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodríguez, Casemiro, and Luka Modric were absent from Rafa Benítez's first meeting as coach of Real Madrid. Madrid will start pre-season work on Friday before traveling 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 will travel straight to Australia. Casemiro and James, on the other hand, will not be part of the tour due to their involvement in the Copa América. The pair have been granted 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.