Ronaldo trains with Real Madrid 

Clubless superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has begun training at his former club Real Madrid after making a personal plea for help to the president, Florentino Pérez, while he looks for a new club.

Ronaldo returned to Real’s Valdebebas training ground on Tuesday and is expected to spend a few days with the Spanish club, where he spent nine years between 2009-18, winning four Champions League titles and scoring 450 goals in 438 appearances.

There is no suggestion at this stage that Real are interested in re-signing the 37-year-old, who is without a club after his acrimonious exit from Manchester United. He left by mutual agreement before the World Cup, after giving an explosive interview to TalkTV in which he criticised the club and the new manager, Erik ten Hag.

Ronaldo’s sale to Juventus in 2018 has proven transformative for Karim Benzema, who has revelled in the central striking role.

The Frenchman was instrumental in Real Madrid winning last season’s Champions League and he was awarded the Ballon d’Or in October.

After Portugal’s surprise defeat by Morocco in the World Cup quarter- finals, Ronaldo returned to Madrid, where he still has a home.

He then made a personal request to Pérez to return to the club to train and use the facilities. According to sources at Real, Pérez told Ronaldo: “Of course, this is your home. All the facilities are yours.”

Ronaldo trained alone and on a separate pitch to the Real players, who are preparing to resume their La Liga title charge against Real Valladolid on December 30.

Ronaldo was with one of his sons as he trained in private and familiar surroundings. He was said to have gone about his work “quietly, discreetly and without wanting to disturb the routines of the other players”.

It remains to be seen if Ronaldo can secure a move to one of Europe’s top clubs. He has a hugely lucrative offer from the Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, but is desperate to extend his career at the highest level and in the Champions League.

An impressive showing at the World Cup would have helped his cause but after scoring a penalty in Portugal’s game against Ghana, Ronaldo’s tournament unravelled.

He was substituted in the next two group games against Uruguay and South Korea, before being dropped for the round of 16, as Portugal delivered a scintillating attacking display to thrash Switzerland 6-1.

Ronaldo was again named on the bench for the 1-0 defeat by Morocco and was unable to rescue his team after coming on in the second half.