Real Madrid will head into Matchday 1 of the 2026/27 La Liga season on a high note after defeating Bundesliga giants Schalke 3-0 in their final preseason fixture. Here were the biggest stars and flops of the night.
Star: ST Carlos Espi
Grabbed a couple of goals and looks every bit like a future star for Real Madrid. He might end up being one of the best finds of the summer, and you can tell Jose Mourinho was excited by him because of how he kept him a secret.
Star: LB Alvaro Carreras
No player has helped their case more this summer than Alvaro Carreras, who convinced Jose Mourinho to keep him despite a terrible first season at Madrid in which he rubbed the last coaching staff the wrong way.
Carreras was the best player on the pitch for Real Madrid, well besides arguably Kylian Mbappe, against Schalke on both ends. He had an assist and created loads of chances while producing the best defensive work he has in a while.
Flop: LW Vinicius Junior
Unfortunately, Vinicius Junior has been one of the few attacking players to not shine this summer. He was atrocious against Schalke, floundering with his decision making, end product, and overall threat against a very weak opponent. Vini Jr. looks like a shell of himself right now, and even the new contract isn't changing the narrative for the Brazilian superstar.
Star: CB Dean Huijsen
How Dean Huijsen's 2026/27 season goes will depend entirely on his ability to elevate his game and not lose his head against tougher opponents at the true elite level, but this summer has been a reminder of the quality Huijsen has as a defender in his element.
On the ball, the young Spanish international is already one of the best in European football, and he looked like it against Schalke, impervious on the ball with no flaws in his passing.
Star: ST Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid fans are feeling like this could be the year of Kylian Mbappe at the Santiago Bernabeu under Jose Mourinho. Mbappe was cooking against Schalke, tearing up the Royal Blues defense with his movement, relentless attacking attitude, and sheer quality. A motivated Mbappe coming off a great individual World Cup tournament but still no elite trophies since 2018 is going to be a scary proposition, especially if Mourinho's own hunger can bring the best out of him.
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