Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, has spoken out about the controversy surrounding Real Madrid’s opening match of the season, initially scheduled for 19 August against Osasuna at the Santiago

Xabi Alonso’s side made it to the semifinals of the Club World Cup, suffering a 4–0 evisceration at the hands of PSG on July 9. Players operating in Spain are entitled to three consecutive weeks of holiday between seasons, leaving Madrid with just 18 days before they host Osasuna.

According to ESPN, the tight schedule prompted Real Madrid to ask for their first match of the 2025–26 season to be postponed. The club is due to play Osasuna on Aug. 19 at the Santiago Bernabéu.