CRISTIANO RONALDO revisited his golden years as he prepares for his sunset days – by dropping in on Real Madrid training.
Ron’s old club are in Saudi Arabia for Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona – as he gears up for his Al-Nassr debut four days later.
Rodrygo met his hero Ronaldo, who departed the Bernabeu a year before the Brazilian wing wizard arrivedInstagram / @realmadrid
Cristiano Ronaldo greeted Real’s Brazilian attacker Vinicius JuniorInstagram / @realmadrid
Instagram / @realmadridAl-Nassr new boy Ronaldo hugged Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos[/caption]
And there was one Bernabeu baller whose smile beamed even brighter than that of the Portugal legend as he posed for a host of pictures.
Rodrygo posted he was “meeting my biggest idol” as he shared a snap of the pair on Instagram.
The Brazil winger, 22, joined Real a year after Ronaldo, now 37, left for Juventus.
And Ron has perhaps never matched his Real days of 2009-2018.
And his next task is to persuade the footballing world he’s not moved to Riyadh just for the money.
Ronaldo’s Manchester United contract was terminated during his poor World Cup, due to a tell-all interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV.
And the first test of his current form is likely to come on January 19.
That’s when a combined Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal XI face PSG in an exhibition match.
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Ronaldo, however, looked delighted to be distracted by reviving memories of his Bernabeu era.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner chatted to boss Carlo Ancelotti and former team-mates as they took a break from training.
And an even older old-boy was there – Brazil icon Roberto Carlos.
The former Real left-back, 49, who is now a football ambassador, warmly embraced Ron.
Carlos’ fellow countryman Vinicius Junior and Eder Militao each joined Ronaldo for thumbs-up photos.
And Real too, joined in the spirit of the occasion.
As Ron seeks to add to his incredible scoring exploits in a new football world, the Spanish giants referenced his famous goal salute with: “Nice to SIIIIIIIIIUUUU you, @Cristiano!”
Ronaldo was also reunited with Real Madrid boss Carlo AncelottiInstagram / @realmadrid
Instagram / @realmadridEder Militao only joined Real in 2019, a year after Ronaldo left for Juventus, but was still delighted to meet the icon[/caption]