• Real Madrid's Jesus Vallejo and teammates during training for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Barcelona at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All Photos : Reuters
    Real Madrid's Jesus Vallejo and teammates during training for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Barcelona at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All Photos : Reuters
  • Real Madrid's Eden Hazard and Eder Militao during training.
    Real Madrid's Eden Hazard and Eder Militao during training.
  • Soccer Football - Spanish Super Cup - Real Madrid Training - Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - January 11, 2022 Real Madrid's Karim Benzema and teammates during training REUTERS / Ahmed Yosri
    Soccer Football - Spanish Super Cup - Real Madrid Training - Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - January 11, 2022 Real Madrid's Karim Benzema and teammates during training REUTERS / Ahmed Yosri
  • Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
    Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
  • Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and Vinicius Junior during training in Riyadh on the eve of the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Barcelona.
    Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and Vinicius Junior during training in Riyadh on the eve of the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Barcelona.
  • Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior chases after the ball.
    Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior chases after the ball.
  • Real Madrid players preparing to face Barcelona.
    Real Madrid players preparing to face Barcelona.
  • Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, players and staff huddle together during training.
    Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, players and staff huddle together during training.
  • Real Madrid players during a training session in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
    Real Madrid players during a training session in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  • Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti talks to his players.
    Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti talks to his players.
  • General view inside the stadium before training.
    General view inside the stadium before training.
  • General view during Real Madrid training.
    General view during Real Madrid training.
  • Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti and players during training.
    Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti and players during training.

Karim Benzema and Vinicius look raring to go in Real Madrid training - in pictures


Steve Luckings
  • English
  • Arabic

Red-hot Real Madrid duo Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior took part in training as the Spanish league leaders prepare to face bitter rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.

Benzema and Vinicius both bagged a brace in Saturday's 4-1 win over Valencia, putting them back on track after last weekend's disappointing loss to Getafe.

The strike pair have bagged 29 goals between them as Real Madrid sit five points clear at the top of La Liga. Barca languish in sixth place, 17 points further back.

Dubbed the 'Desert Clasico', Real Madrid chase their first silverware of the season in Saudi Arabia.

The competition returns to the kingdom after being played in Spain last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It is the second 'clasico' of the season after Real Madrid secured a 2-1 win at Camp Nou in October.

The other semi-final will be played Thursday between defending Spanish league champions Atletico Madrid and Copa del Rey runners-up Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona qualified as the Copa del Rey winners.

Updated: January 12, 2022, 8:03 AM