Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde admits it's been a tough start to preseason.

Real are now in the US for their preseason tour.

Valverde said: "The preseason has been quite tough, but that's what's going to give us the strength to approach the year in every competition.

"We have to be well prepared to get the most energy at the beginning of the campaign. That'll be the thing that sets us up well in the middle and at the end of the season. When other teams are struggling, we can be gunning for the top. We have a great team and if we all work together, we can achieve great things.

"The tour is really important. I'm always thinking about making the most of things with Real Madrid and getting the most out of it, learning every day and giving the fans the best. It's great to go to the United States and I'll try to do my best."