Published on 09:34 AM, January 14, 2023

'Always good to see friends': Ronaldo visits Real training in Saudi Arabia

Cristiano Ronaldo with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. Photo: Twitter

There was a happy reunion at the Al Nassr Sports City as superstar Cristiano Ronaldo met with players of his former club, Real Madrid, who trained at the Saudi club's training facilities ahead of their Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona at the King Fahd International Stadium on Sunday. 

Ronaldo was seen greeting Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, under whom the Portuguese forward won the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey in the 2013-2014 season, and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2014 during the Italian coach's first spell as Los Blancos' manager. 

"All the best everyone and good luck for Sunday's final," Ronaldo was quoted as saying in a video posted by Real Madrid. Asked how it felt to be reunited with his former teammates, Ronaldo replied: "It's always great to see your teammates and the club's made history again. It's always good to see friends." 

Ronaldo also met another Real Madrid legend, Roberto Carlos, who was there with the Real Madrid contingent. Ronaldo, who is the all-time top goal scorer for Real Madrid with a ridiculous 451 goals in 438 appearances during his nine-year stint with the Spanish club, even sat on the bench to watch the first minutes of the training session.

The likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Eder Militao savoured the moment by clicking pictures with Ronaldo, who recently made a sensational move to Saudi club Al Nassr for a deal worth $200 million. 

"Meeting my biggest idol!" wrote Rodrygo on his social media account along with a picture of him with Ronaldo. 

Vinicius just went for a goat emoji, referring to Ronaldo as the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T), in the caption of his picture with the Portuguese legend.      

Ronaldo is yet to make his debut for Al Nassr, but could play his first game in Saudi Arabia for an all-star team against Lionel Messi's PSG on January 19.