• Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium,right, Gareth Bale doing sprints at the sidelines during the practice session.
    Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium,right, Gareth Bale doing sprints at the sidelines during the practice session.
  • Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium. Football fans at the practice session.
    Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium. Football fans at the practice session.
  • Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium. Young football fans arrive at the NYU Abu Dhabi staium to watch the Real Madrid training session.
    Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium. Young football fans arrive at the NYU Abu Dhabi staium to watch the Real Madrid training session.
  • Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium. All Photos by Victor Besa / The National
    Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium. All Photos by Victor Besa / The National
  • Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium, centre blue jersey, Casemiro attempts to get the ball from Federico Valverde, orange jersey.
    Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium, centre blue jersey, Casemiro attempts to get the ball from Federico Valverde, orange jersey.
  • Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium, orange, Nacho in action during the practice session.
    Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium, orange, Nacho in action during the practice session.
  • Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium.
    Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium.
  • Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium.
    Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium.
  • Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium.
    Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium.
  • Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium.
    Real Madrid training session at the NYU Abu Dhabi football stadium.

Real Madrid hit the training pitch in Abu Dhabi ahead of Fifa Club World Cup - in pictures

European champions begin their title defence at the semi-final stage against Kashima Antlers

The National

December 17, 2018

  • English
  • Arabic

Real Madrid have wasted little time in adjusting to their surroundings in Abu Dhabi as the European champions took part in a training session on Monday ahead of their Fifa Club World Cup title defence.

Madrid, who are seeking to win an unprecedented third straight Club World Cup, touched down in the UAE capital on Monday morning and were pictured arriving at the Four Seasons hotel where they were greeted by officials and fans.

However, with their Club World Cup semi-final against Asian champions Kashima Antlers on Wednesday, Madrid players were soon at work training at New York University.

The National's photographer Victor Besa captured Madrid's training session as Luka Modric - the recently-crowned Ballon d'Or winner - and his teammates went through their paces.

For more pictures from Madrid's training session, browse through the photo gallery above. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

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More from Club World Cup:

Andy Mitten: Real Madrid arrive for Club World Cup in disarray, but that hasn't stopped them before

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John McAuley: How Al Ain can stun River Plate to reach the final

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