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A deluge of international competitions lit up this summer like nothing else. The Nations League, Euro qualifiers, Copa America, U20 Euros, the Women's World Cup and African Cup of Nations all happening at almost the same time, we were inundated with a whole host of football games even as the 2018/19 season in club football drew to a close.
Now with the curtains drawing upon almost all the international tournaments, we shift our attention back to club football action. And look no further than the International Champions Cup, which will once again feature intriguing fixtures for us to look forward to.
The Audi Cup and the LaLiga-Serie A cup too have something interesting in store.
So let's see which five games you must look forward to the most:
#5 Manchester United vs Inter Milan (20th July)
Having previously met only four times in competitive games, Manchester United and Inter Milan will lock horns in the pre-season for the first time since 2014 when the former prevailed on penalties after a goalless stalemate.
Winds of change have blown over both sides since, but the Red Devils will come across a familiar foe in Antonio Conte, who knows a bean or two about beating them having done so on four occasions as the Chelsea manager.
Pre-season often has little bearings on the season proper, but the Nerazzurris would have lofty expectations from a manager of his ilk for the upcoming campaign. So this International Champions Cup might be a precursor of things to come under the Italian.
As for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the United honcho has a massive task of rebuilding after his first stint as Jose Mourinho's successor ended in a whimper.
A sixth-place finish also ensured no Champions League football for this season, which also means these teams won't meet competitively this term too unless Inter are knocked out in the group stages of the Champions League once again and enter Europa League, where the Red Devils will be plying their trade.
#4 Bayern Munich vs AC Milan (23rd July)
The Rossoneris will have fond memories of playing Bayern in the ICC, having stunningly plonked upon the German champions with four unanswered goals from Franck Kessie, Patrick Cutrone and Hakan Calhanoglu.
Two years later, their paths cross again but the Longgang setting of China is traded for that of Kansas City in the US.
In a competitive game though, the outcome would have surely been different and a repeat of the 2017 result is also unlikely. But this tie remains an intriguing prospect nonetheless, as the sides haven't met in an official match since 2007 when Milan beat Bayern 4-2 on aggregate in the last 8 en route to lifting the Champions League.
Another topsy-turvy campaign meant Milan's wait to play in the holy grail prolonged by another year, although the embarrassing FFP sanctions have also put an embargo in their Europa League participation for the 2019/20 season.
So perhaps, the Milanistas will have to contend with these games for now.
#3 FC Barcelona vs SSC Napoli (8th and 10th August)
Another interesting fixture we would love to see happen in the Champions League, the Blaugrana meet the side from Naples in a two-legged friendly in the US.
The inaugural LaLiga-Serie A cup will kick off on 8th August at the Hard Rock Stadium, followed by a return leg in the Michigan Stadium two days later.
"LaLiga has recognised the importance of international expansion, especially in the United States, which is why we have dedicated significant resources through our joint venture with Relevant Sports Group," said La Liga president Javier Tebas.
"The creation of LaLiga-Serie A cup is in line with our mission to create more opportunities for the US fans to celebrate La Liga and we look forward to this annual tradition to bring our clubs to America each summer."
This will also mark for the first time since 2014 that Barcelona and Napoli play each other. Back then, the Partenopei triumphed 1-0 against a largely second-string opposition but were hammered 5-0 in the Joan Gamper trophy in 2011.
#2 Liverpool vs Borussia Dortmund (20th July)
Despite frequently participating in the Champions League in the recent season, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund are yet to clash in the competition. However, the epic Europa League encounter of 2016 is still vivid in our memories.
The Reds scripted another European classic at Anfield by fighting back to win 4-3 and send Jurgen Klopp's current side into the semi-finals at the expense of his previous.
The teams haven't crossed paths since in any major competitions since, but this will be second consecutive year when the teams play each other in the ICC. Indiana's Notre Dame Stadium will be the hosts this time as Klopp faces his former club once again, but this time, as a European champion.
Der BVB spurned an incredible opportunity to end Bundesliga title drought last season following a spectacular implosion in the second half of the campaign, but Lucian Favre still has immense talent at his disposal to launch another assault at Bayern's hegemony.
The seamless quality in both camps should make this one a classic friendly.
#1 Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid (26th July)
We were treated to an unlikely El Clasico friendly in 2017 when arch-rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona played in a pre-season game for the first time in 30 years.
Now, we have a Madrid derby in a club-friendly - a first for this historic rivalry.
Staged at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, the Madrid outfits are unlikely to set the sparks fly, but such intense has become the rivalry in the recent years that you really don't know what to expect here.
Los Blancos are on the road to redemption after a calamitous season last term, and have made huge statement of intent with Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic signings.
The Colchoneros too, have made vital acquisitions in the shape of Kieran Trippier and Joao Felix, although old guards such as Diego Godin, Filipe Luis, Juanfran and Antoine Griezmann have all left in a mass exodus.
Suffice to say, this Madrid derby has a breath of fresh air to it.
