Real Madrid welcome three key players back for USA pre-season tour

Brazil international Vinicius Junior has linked up with Real Madrid's pre-season touring squad of the United States alongside compatriots Rodrygo and Eder Militao.

The Selecao trio were given extra time off following their nation's disappointing performance at the Copa America, exiting the competition to Federico Valverde's Uruguay on penalties at the quarter-final stage.

It was revealed in late July that Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham wouldn't feature in the trip to the US but Los Blancos have now been boosted by the return of Vinicius, Rodrygo and Militao, with the club's social media team snapping them getting back into the swing of things at training.

They could get minutes in the upcoming Clasico against bitter rivals Barcelona, which kicks off at 00:00 (BST) on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti's side played their first game of the trip on Thursday, falling to a 1-0 defeat to Serie A giants Milan. The Champions League holders fielded experienced campaigners like Luka Modric, Antonio Rudiger and Thibaut Courtois, while youngsters Endrick and Arda Guler started in attack.

Euro 2024 winner Dani Carvajal remains missing from the squad, while France internationals Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Ferland Mendy are also absent after reaching the semi-finals.

One of their youngsters was dealt a blow against Milan as winger Cesar Palacios tore his anterior cruciate ligament, leaving the Castilla star facing months on the sidelines.

After their clash with Barca, Madrid take on English side Chelsea before preparing for the UEFA Super Cup meeting with Europa League winners Atalanta in mid-August. It is thought the likes of Carvajal, Bellingham and Mbappe will be back in starting XI contention for the latter.

La Liga's reigning champions then kick off their domestic defence with a trip to Mallorca.

READ THE LATEST REAL MADRID NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP