It's been a turbulent season so far for Real Madrid. But the European champions looked at ease as they settled in for what will be an exciting week of Club World Cup action in the UAE.
The Real players, who will face Japan's Kashima Antlers in the semi-final in the capital on Wednesday, took part in a meet-and-greet with fans before their first training session at NYU Abu Dhabi on Monday evening.
The likes of Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale signed shirts and footballs as young and old came to meet their sporting heroes.
😃✍🤳 It was great to meet some of our #RMFans in Abu Dhabi! #RMCWC pic.twitter.com/bBI1yaGNrv
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 17, 2018
Real then showed off the immaculate training facilities at NYUAD where the players were put through their first session since Saturday's 1-0 La Liga victory over Rayo Vallecano.
🇦🇪🏟 This is where we’ll be carrying out our first training session in Abu Dhabi! #RMCWC pic.twitter.com/TGTZ6Xqtcy
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 17, 2018
A group of young fans in attendance made it known who they had come to see.
🔊 SOUND ON!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 17, 2018
🙌 Our special guests from the @Fun_Realmadrid are excited to see @MarceloM12!#RMCWC pic.twitter.com/SBpjsGuiXN
Meanwhile, Isco and Sergio Reguilon showed off their skills on the pitch with a game of keepy-uppy.
⚽✨ Keep it 🆙@sergio_regui | @isco_alarcon pic.twitter.com/4iAGlxGyX2
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 17, 2018
Marcelo tried a slightly trickier version – using a tennis ball.
😍✨ @MarceloM12 MAGIC! #RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/gGd2anNxre
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 17, 2018
Young defender Sergio Reguilon was joined on the pitch after training by Real legend Roberto Carlos, and told him how the players were adjusting to the climate ahead of their first match.
🎙💬 Listen to what @sergio_regui said after out first training session in Abu Dhabi! #RMCWC pic.twitter.com/X29tfopwaO
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 17, 2018
The players were keen to share their experiences of the UAE so far on their social media accounts. Striker Benzema posed at what appears to be Real's base at the Four Seasons on Al Maryah Island with the Abu Dhabi skyline in the background.
#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/A6Pxx79a8e
— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) December 17, 2018
Captain Ramos meanwhile posted an image of himself during training and said he and his teammates were "ready to take on the world".
Con ganas de comernos el 🌍⚽
— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) December 17, 2018
Ready to take on the world 🌍⚽#RMCWC #ClubWC #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/yXGG1diJOY
The action on Tuesday sees Arabian Gulf League holders Al Ain competing in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2018 as host representatives. They will take on South American champions River Plate in the other semi-final at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
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Read more:
Fifa Club World Cup: How Al Ain can stun River Plate to reach the final
Real Madrid en route to Abu Dhabi in special livery Emirates A380
