Preseason has traditionally been a time for footballers to shed the extra pounds gained during the summer break, often after weeks of indulgence in beer, desserts, and other treats. Once, it was about working off the damage that hunger—literally—could do when players were let off the leash. Many footballers would return from their summer holidays several pounds heavier, some even bordering on unfit. However, times have changed, and Real Madrid is a prime example of how hunger—driven, fanatical hunger—can now be the key to success.
As Real Madrid embarks on a marathon 334-day season that begins with the UEFA Super Cup clash against Atalanta in Warsaw and could potentially end with the Club World Cup final on July 13, 2025, hunger in its most intense form will be essential. With a record-breaking seven trophies up for grabs, this is a season where every ounce of desire will matter, and Madrid are teaching their newest star, Kylian Mbappé, just what it means to be hungry in the pursuit of greatness.
The Old Preseason: Battling the Bulge
In the past, preseason was notorious for its grueling nature, a time when players were pushed to their limits to work off the excesses of their summer holidays. Footballers would often return to training overweight, some even bordering on fat. Preseason camps were as much about losing weight as they were about getting match fit. Coaches would crack the whip, imposing punishing drills and fitness routines to get their players back in shape. It was a time to pay the price for a summer of indulgence.
However, that approach has evolved, particularly at clubs like Real Madrid, where the demands of modern football require players to stay in top condition year-round. Today, preseason is less about shedding pounds and more about fine-tuning a body that has been kept in peak condition, even during the offseason. The focus is now on mental and physical sharpness, ensuring that players hit the ground running when the season starts.
Real Madrid: Driven by Fanatical Hunger
At Real Madrid, hunger is not just about avoiding weight gain; it’s about an insatiable desire for success. This hunger is what drives the club to push the boundaries season after season, pursuing every trophy with a relentless determination. The 2024/25 season is a testament to this hunger, with Madrid aiming to win all seven trophies available to them, including La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
For a team like Real Madrid, where the margin for error is slim, this hunger is not just a motivational tool; it’s a necessity. The demands placed on players are immense, and maintaining that drive over a long and grueling season requires a special kind of mentality. It’s about more than just physical fitness; it’s about mental resilience, the ability to stay focused and driven even as the challenges mount.
Kylian Mbappé: Learning the Madrid Way
Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid’s newest superstar, is no stranger to the pressures of top-level football. However, at Madrid, he is learning that hunger is not just about personal glory; it’s about contributing to a collective effort to achieve greatness. In joining Madrid, Mbappé has stepped into a club where the expectation is not just to win but to dominate, to set new standards in every competition they enter.
Mbappé’s integration into this culture of hunger has been swift. Under the watchful eye of Carlo Ancelotti, he has been introduced to the intensity of Madrid’s training regime, the meticulous attention to detail, and the unyielding focus on winning. There is no room for complacency, no time to rest on past achievements. Every session, every match is a test of his commitment to the cause.
A 334-Day Marathon: The Ultimate Test of Hunger
The 2024/25 season is shaping up to be one of the most demanding in recent memory, with Madrid facing a 334-day marathon of football that could stretch from the UEFA Super Cup in August to the Club World Cup final in July 2025. The sheer number of matches, combined with the travel, the pressure, and the expectations, will test the hunger of every player in the squad.
For Mbappé, this will be the ultimate test of his readiness to embrace the Madrid ethos. Can he maintain the same level of intensity and desire across a season that will push him to his limits? Can he channel that hunger into performances that help Madrid claim all seven trophies on offer? These are the questions that will define his first season at the club.
Conclusion: The Power of Hunger
At Real Madrid, hunger is the fuel that powers the pursuit of excellence. It’s the driving force behind the club’s relentless quest for trophies, the mentality that separates the great from the merely good. As Kylian Mbappé embarks on his journey with Madrid, he is learning that this hunger is not just about winning; it’s about setting new standards, pushing boundaries, and leaving a legacy.
The 2024/25 season will be a true test of this hunger, not just for Mbappé but for the entire Madrid squad. With seven trophies on the line, every player will need to dig deep, drawing on their reserves of desire and determination. If they can do that, if they can maintain that fanatical hunger throughout the season, they could be on the verge of something truly historic.