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With major international tournaments like Euro 2020 and Copa America behind us, we're already in pre-season, awaiting the new club season.
However, the games are still at least three weeks away, and it may feel like a long time for football fans to pass.
Worry not, your favorite sides will be in action in a few pre-season games before the 2021/22 campaign officially kicks off.
If you're wondering which of the following games you should be watching, we've compiled a list of the top five enticing clashes you need to keep an eye on. Without further ado, let's get to it.
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#5 AC Milan vs Real Madrid - 8th August
Even though Real Madrid and AC Milan haven't met in the Champions League for almost a decade now, the sides have often played each other in pre-season.
Yet, it's always fun to watch this fixture, given their historic rivalry and many accomplishments in Europe.
This year, Madrid and Milan will meet at the Wörthersee Stadion in Austria for the friendly, just about a week before the start of the new La Liga season.
So you can expect the Whites to be at full-strength, although by then the Rossoneri would have also played three more friendlies and have most of their key players back.
#4 Chelsea vs Arsenal - 1st August (Mind Series)
Arsenal's latest pair of pre-season friendlies are against their city rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. Both will be played in London as part of the Mind Series exhibition tournament to raise funds to support mental health.
They'll start the campaign at home to the reigning European champions, who've lost their last three official games against the Gunners, their worst record in this fixture in almost two decades.
While this is only a friendly match, a sense of rivalry will inevitably pervade the Emirates Stadium, where the derby is held. So regardless of the strength of the squads, it could make for an interesting watch.
#3 Arsenal vs Inter Milan - 26th July (Florida Cup)
Before the Mind Series against their London rivals, Arsenal will be in the United States for the Florida Cup, an annual exhibition tournament between four sides.
There, the Gunners will come up against Inter Milan, the reigning Italian champions, although they're likely to be without many of their first-team stars who were involved in the Euros.
Yet the Nerazzurri faithful will keep an eye on this game and the cup in general, as Simone Inzaghi kick-starts his reign as their new manager and fans will be excited to see what's in store for them in the new season.
As for Arsenal, this will be another test of mettle for their first-team squad in their preparations for the 2021-22 season.
#2 Bayern Munich vs Napoli - 31st July (Audi Cup)
Sounds like a Champions League fixture. But for now we just have to contend with a friendly game between the sides.
Bayern Munich and Napoli, last meeting in Europe a decade ago will clash at the Audi Football Summit, a biennial two-day summit held in Munich.
That will be the closest the two sides come to facing each other in some time as Partenopei failed to qualify for next season's Champions League after coming fifth in the 2020-21 Serie A campaign.
Nevertheless, it promises to be some duel as the sides are likely to experiment with new line-ups and play some new players, promising quite a spectacle at the Allianz Arena.
#1 Barcelona vs Manchester City - 25th August (Joan Gamper Trophy)
There's a real possibility that Barcelona and Manchester City could face each other in the Champions League next season.
The Sky Blues are in pot one courtesy of their Premier League success last season, while the Catalans are in pot two after finishing third in La Liga.
If that were indeed to happen, this game could prep us up before their highly-anticipated meeting, although with much of the normal season resumed by then, we're likely to see a B-team participate.
Pep Guardiola's unofficial reunion with his former side may not transpire as they are sandwiched between games against Norwich City and Arsenal, while Barcelona will themselves be in action against Athletic Bilbao four days later.
However, the rivalry between the sides has grown so much in the last decade that some you won't mind watching even their weakened sides play, right?
