Real Madrid will participate in the 2017 International Champions Cup and El Clasico in Miami is not the only mouthwatering fixture scheduled.
The 2017 International Champions Cup will once again see a lineup full of Europe’s elite clubs heading to North America. Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Tottenham, and Roma alongside Real Madrid, are the eight clubs that will partake in this year’s version of the annual preseason friendlies.
The 11-time European champions have the toughest schedule as they will kick-off their campaign on July 23 against Ronaldo’s former club Manchester United. The game will be hosted at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
American Madridistas will then be treated to the prominent El Clasico, which will subsequently take place three days after Los Blancos’ second game with Manchester City.
Below is the full schedule of the group stage:
- July 23 – Real Madrid vs. Manchester United; Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA; 5 p.m
- July 26 – Manchester City vs. Real Madrid; LA Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA; 11:30 p.m.
- July 29 – Real Madrid vs. Barcelona; Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL; 8 p.m.
*Tickets for this competition usually sell out rapidly. Check out the ICC official website for tickets and pricing information.
There is much speculation over exactly which squad-list Real Madrid will bring to this tournament. With the 2017 Confederations Cup scheduled to take place about a month before the ICC, many wonder if some big name players will be too raddled after the international duties to participate in this tournament with their domestic clubs.
As a result, it remains quite unclear whether Cristiano Ronaldo will be in North America in the coming summer. The 32-year-old forward will lead his country to the tournament in Russia. If things go as anticipated by the Seleccao skipper, he will be lifting another international trophy, come July 2nd.
Knowing the importance and commercial value of the presence of Ronaldo, Los Merengues will hope their poster boy will be revitalize enough within the 21 days prior to their first kick-off. The Bernabeu outfits will be aiming to secure their fourth International Champions Cup title.
ICC will probably market the hell out of the clasico with Ronaldo’s face everywhere knowing his chances of playing are slim to none.
— Jøsélu (@Run_Jose) March 10, 2017
