Real Madrid's Altitude Comeback: Masks, Returns, and a Valencia Showdown
4 February 2026
Match preparation
Real Madrid is gearing up to face Valencia on Sunday in the 23rd round of La Liga at Mestalla. The squad returned to training on Wednesday, with players wearing the well-known oxygen-reducing masks used by fitness coach Antonio Pintus for years as part of an intensive conditioning program.
These masks are a core element of Pintus's method, designed to mimic training conditions at high altitude by reducing oxygen flow to the brain and muscles, pushing the body to improve oxygen utilization and enhance cardiovascular and respiratory efficiency.
According to Marca, the masks regulate oxygen intake via three swappable valves (two for inhalation, one for exhalation) and simulate elevations between 910 and 5500 meters, providing benefits comparable to training in harsh environments.
The return to masks comes at a pivotal time as coach Alvaro Arbeloa works on both tactical and physical aspects to lift performance ahead of the decisive stretch.
Mask usage typically occurs once or twice per season; today marked the first session of the current campaign. Marca notes that despite expectations around Antonio Rudiger's involvement against Valencia, he has not yet undergone the fitness tests overseen by Pintus using the masks.
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold participated in the group session, and Ferland Mendy rejoined the squad and could be ready after passing conditioning tests.
Sources: Marca.
What these masks mean for Madrid: they allow precise assessment of players’ physical condition and enable personalized training plans to push toward peak form in a crucial phase of the season.
Punchline 1: If oxygen masks really signed contracts, Pintus would be topping the transfer window by breath alone.
Punchline 2: Real Madrid’s training is so altitude-aware that even the wind files a passport before a sprint—talk about a season with higher breathability.
