Cristiano Ronaldo had a heartwarming reunion with some players from his old club Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Supercopa Clasico finals.
The 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo who is now officially an Al Nassr player met his Real Madrid companions in Saudi Arabia in the wee hours of Saturday, January 14.
Cristiano Ronaldo trained alone at Madrid’s Valdebebas training base last month after Portugal was eliminated from the Qatar World Cup as he prepared for his move to Saudi Arabia, but didn’t coincide with his former Real Madrid teammates.
Real Madrid, who are in the Saudi Arabia capital Riyadh for the Spanish Supercopa, was visited by the former Los Blanco’s all-time goal scorer, Ronaldo ahead of their final against Barcelona on Sunday, January 15.
The Current UEFA Champions League Champions have been preparing for their Spanish Supercopa final with Barcelona at Al Nassr’s training ground in Riyadh.
Real Madrid defeated Valencia on penalties in their Spanish Supercopa semifinal on Wednesday, January 11 after the game ended 1-1 after extra time.
Karim Benzema scored the opener in the 39th minute via a penalty after he was brought down by Valencia defender Eray Comert in Riyadh.
Valencia retaliated in the opening seconds of the second half, with Samuel Lino completing Toni Lato’s cross at the far post.
In the penalty shootout, Comert and Jose Gaya both missed their shots, helping Real Madrid to advance into Sunday’s final.
On the other hand, Barcelona Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen shine in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, January 12 as the Catalans thrashed Real Betis 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra time in the Spanish Supercopa semifinal.
Barca’s stopper Ter Stegen saved spot kicks from Juanmi and William Carvalho while Pedri scored the winning goal to set up the Clasico final-piece showdown with Real Madrid at King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh today.
And while Cristiano Ronaldo sets to make his debut, at the Saudi club which is expected to come in a friendly match against Lionel Messi’s PSG next Thursday, the Portuguese decided to visit his former teammates to wish them luck ahead of Sunday’s Clasico.
Real Madrid posted a video on their social media, showing Ronaldo hanging out with Real’s manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Ronaldo first had a chat with Carlo Ancelotti, who he played for during the Italian’s first spell in charge of Madrid from 2013 to 2015, winning the 2014 Champions League.
Ancelotti’s support staff were also spotted with Ronaldo, as they stood near the training facility’s touchline area while chatting and exchanging a warm embrace with the Portuguese legendary forward.
The five-time Ballon d’Or holder also had a chat with Brazilian star players Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo in the gym and dressing room.
Vinicius and Rodrygo never had the chance to share a dressing room with the Portuguese skipper.
The former Juventus star Ronaldo left Real Madrid just two days before Vinicius Junior officially joined the club in the summer of 2018, with Rodrygo arriving a year later.
In what seems like a rare moment caught on camera, Rodrygo shows his shivering hands to the camera as he approached Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009 and won four Champions League titles with the club, three in a row from 2016 to 2018.
The five-time Ballon D’Or victor Ronaldo also scored staggering 450 goals in 438 appearances for Madrid.
The Portuguese maestro Ronaldo wished his Real Madrid companions good luck, in their final against Barcelona during his visit.
He said: “Good luck to our Madrid on Sunday’s final.”
“It’s always nice to see your teammates, at a club where you made history. It’s good to see your friends.”
The Supercopa Clasico final match between Real Madrid and Barcelona will take place at the King Fahd International Stadium in Saudi Arabia today.
Kickoff time is 8:00 pm.
