Carlo Ancelotti plays Hazard 90 minutes in Real Madrid win

Real Madrid opened their preseason campaign with a narrow 2-1 victory over Hungarian side Ferencváros in Budapest on Wednesday night.

The game featured a mix of first-team players and youngsters, with Mario Rivas and Carlos Es giving Real an early lead before an unlikely consolation from the Hungarian side. Eden Hazard, returning from a long injury lay-off, played the full 90 minutes in a rare preseason outing.

The match was part of Real’s preparation for the new season and came just days after club legend Marcos Llorente joined Atletico Madrid. Real’s new signing Eduardo Camavinga, 19, played 45 minutes in midfield. Hazard’s involvement suggests he’s nearing full fitness ahead of the Champions League campaign. Meanwhile, young forward Rivas, 19, scored his first goal for the first team, adding to the club’s emerging talent pipeline.

The result itself matters less than what it reveals about Real’s current priorities. Carlo Ancelotti is balancing experience with youth development, testing fringe players like Hazard and new signing Antonio Rüdiger in unfamiliar positions. The friendly also served as a warm-up for Real’s upcoming Champions League group stage, which begins in September. With Karim Benzema and Luka Modrić aging but still key, Ancelotti is using preseason to blend old hands with fresh legs. Next up: a clash with Manchester United in a pre-season friendly in Australia next week.