According to sources who spoke to ESPN, Cristiano Ronaldo worked out by himself on Wednesday at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training facility as he gets ready to make a decision about his future.
After Portugal’s elimination from the World Cup in Qatar, Ronaldo, who is currently without a club after leaving Manchester United last month, went to Madrid, where he appeared as a second-half replacement in their quarterfinal loss to Morocco on Saturday.
According to sources speaking to ESPN, Ronaldo requested permission to practice at Real Madrid City on Wednesday in order to keep up his fitness, and the club approved of his request. He labored by himself on a different field from where Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team Madrid players were working out.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s departure from Madrid in 2018 to join Juventus in a €100 million deal hurt their friendship, but things have since improved.
The player with the most goals in Real Madrid history, Ronaldo also won two La Liga championships and four Champions Leagues during his nine incredibly successful seasons with the team.
His second stint at Old Trafford came to an end last month after he was released as a free agent following an inflammatory TV interview in which he attacked United, manager Erik ten Hag, and club administrators.
Although Ronaldo denied last week that an agreement had been reached, rumors have it that he will join Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in January in a lucrative move.
Despite only scoring one goal, a penalty against Ghana, in five World Cup appearances, Ronaldo—who helped Portugal win their lone major prize at Euro 2016—was benched by coach Fernando Santos during their tournament run.