Abbott extends innovative health partnership with Real Madrid and the Real Madrid Foundation

Abbott, Real Madrid and the Real Madrid Foundation announced the extension of their partnership through Real Madrid's 2026-27 season. Abbott will remain Global Health Sciences and Nutrition Partner of Real Madrid Football Club and Global Partner of the Real Madrid Foundation. Abbott and Real Madrid will continue to work together on their shared goal of fostering health and nutrition among children and building a healthier world for generations to come.

As part of the extension, Abbott will expand its alliance with the Real Madrid Foundation to provide nutrition education and malnutrition screening to children attending Real Madrid Foundation Social Sports Schools around the world. Abbott has worked with the Foundation to deliver more than 25,000 hours of health and nutrition education and screen over 3,000 children since the onset of the program in 2021. The renewed commitment between the partners emphasizes the pursuit of Abbott's sustainability goal of transforming care for malnutrition and improving the lives of 3 billion people per year by the decade's end.

"Abbott and Real Madrid strive to create a healthier world and help children reach their full potential," said Daniel Salvadori, executive vice president and group president of Abbott's established pharmaceuticals and nutrition businesses. "This partnership stands as a testament to our shared vision of making a lasting impact on global health through the power of sport, science, and teamwork."

Abbott will also continue to provide nutritional guidance for Real Madrid's first men's and women's and Academy teams through research-based dietary recommendations backed by the company's 130-year heritage in health sciences and understanding of the needs of athletes.

Beating Malnutrition Together

The partnership has played a pivotal role in advancing the well-being of children worldwide through nutrition education and malnutrition screening initiatives in conjunction with the Real Madrid Foundation.

Under the Abbott Center for Malnutrition Solutions – a collaboration between the company and external partners focused on reducing malnutrition globally – Abbott works with the Real Madrid Foundation Social Sports Schools to support at-risk children in reaching their goal of a healthier life.

Together the groups have delivered a health and nutrition education curriculum called Future Well Kids, created by the Abbott Fund and Discovery Education, to children in nine countries (U.S., U.K., Brazil, Colombia, India, Kenya, Mexico, Philippines, Tanzania). The lessons teach kids about the importance of healthy behaviors—like diet and exercise—to help prevent chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Abbott has also trained Real Madrid Foundation coaches to use the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) z-score tape, an innovative and easy-to-use tool that screens for malnutrition in children. The screening helps families learn their child's nutritional status, which is an important step on the path to malnutrition prevention. By using the tape, parents and coaches are empowered to identify children at risk and help connect them to healthcare professionals and resources to get appropriate support. For example, at-risk children and their families received nutrition education and counseling from a nutritionist in a Social Sports School in Mexico. Those children showed improvement in subsequent screenings. 

Abbott and Real Madrid highlighted their commitment to this initiative with the launch of the 'Beat Malnutrition' campaign aimed at empowering communities to support children through malnutrition awareness and screening in under-resourced areas. As part of the campaign, Abbott and Real Madrid co-created 'Beat Malnutrition' promotional armbands, inspired by the MUAC z-score tape, to encourage more children to be screened and donated 10,000 MUAC z-score tapes to communities in need.

Sports Health Innovation

The collaboration also extends into health and nutrition innovation as Abbott's scientists and Real Madrid's medical team join forces to pioneer advancements in sports health and nutrition.

Abbott and Real Madrid have co-developed scientific research and produced educational seminars across key nutrition-based topics including strength, immunity, recovery, hydration, and injury prevention that allow athletes of all skill levels to gain a deeper understanding of their bodies.

In 2023 the partners launched the "Abbott - Real Madrid Innovation Lab" inside Real Madrid's training facilities where Abbott scientists and the team's medical staff collaborate to benefit Real Madrid players and advance the future of sports health, nutrition, and science.

Abbott's products such as Ensure® Max Protein, Abound® and Pedialyte® Sport are used by Real Madrid players.