Real Return to US for Pre-season

Real Madrid at  Rose Bowl in 2010

The preseason this summer will take Real Madrid back to the United States for the 13th time in the club's history.

President Luis de Urquijo was the first to take Real Madrid to the US back in 1927 as part of a tour of the Americas that also covered Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Cuba and Mexico. The Whites were joined by players from other teams, such as Osasuna, Athletic Bilbao, Tolosa, Athletic Madrid and Murcia.

The team didn't return until 30 years later, in 1959, when Di Stefano, Puskas and Gento were on the squad. Real arrived in the States as the kings of Europe and played at the Brooklyn Dodgers' field.

Trips to the US followed in 1961, 1965 and 1967. The team would not return until 1989, when the squad featured the now legendary Quinta del Buitre. The Whites spent 20 days in Mexico and the US, playing four games in Los Angeles.

The team's first visit in the 21st Century took place in 2002 during the club's centenary. The likes of Roberto Carlos, Figo, Zidane, Raul and Casillas travelled to New York to face Roma in a match that ended 0-0.

Another trip took place in 2005 as part of a tour that also took them to Mexico, China, Japan and Tailand; and they returned yet again in 2006.In 2009, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka as squad newcomers, the Madridistas travelled to the USA once more, returning with coach Jose Mourinho at the helm of the team in 2010.

Under the former coach, Manuel Pellegrini, Real Madrid spent part of their pre-seaosn in Ireland basing themselves at Carton House in Kildare in 2009.