Cristiano Ronaldo is using the training ground of his former club Real Madrid to keep fit while he searches for a new team.
The 37-year-old is currently a free agent, having had his contract terminated by Manchester United in November.
On Wednesday, days after Portugal was eliminated from the World Cup in Qatar at the hands of Morocco, Ronaldo was pictured training alone at Madrid’s Valdebebas base.
According to Madrid Xtra, Madrid president Florentino Perez has told the striker Valdebebas is his home and that he can train there whenever he wants with all facilities guaranteed.
However, a return to Madrid – where Ronaldo scored 450 goals in nine seasons between 2009 and 2018, helping it win LaLiga twice and the Champions League four times – is not on the table, according to BBC Sport.
Ronaldo’s second spell at Manchester United came to an abrupt end after a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, in which he hit out at the club, its manager Erik ten Hag, and its owners, the Glazer family.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner told Morgan that he didn’t “have respect” for Ten Hag and accused United of showing a lack of “empathy” when his young daughter was hospitalized in July.
After being released by United, Ronaldo said in a statement: “I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge.”
