Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo back in training ahead of the European Super Cup against Manchester United

  • Cristiano Ronaldo was back training with Real Madrid team-mates on Saturday
  • Ronaldo worked out amid speculation surrounding his future at the club 
  • 32-year-old is unhappy at facing allegations of tax fraud worth €15m in Spain
  • Madrid star was granted an extended break after summer representing Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to training at Real Madrid ahead of facing his former club Manchester United in the European Super Cup next week with speculation still surrounding his future.

The reigning Ballon d'Or holder completed his first training session following participation at the Confederations Cup with Portugal last month in Russia.

Ronaldo joined his team-mates for an intense training session on Saturday at the club's Valdebebas base on the outskirts of the Spanish capital, with the forward showing no rustiness following his break. 


Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to training after his summer holidays

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to training after his summer holidays

Ronaldo gets onto the ball during the first-team session
The forward is reportedly unhappy in Spain after his treatment in a tax case

Ronaldo gets onto the ball during the first-team session played at Ciudad Real Madrid

Ronaldo completed the first half of training alongside the group, before moving on to train alone as he looks to get back in shape ahead of the new campaign. 

The former United star was pictured recently on the last few days of his holiday alongside his expectant girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez, who cradled a growing baby bump during a lavish yacht holiday in Ibiza.

Ronaldo is in line to make a start at the Philip II Arena in Skopje, Macedonia on Tuesday when Gareth Bale will also look to impress against his long-time admirer Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese boss has made no secret of his interest in Bale, who was also put through his paces in the Madrid sunshine on Saturday.

Ronaldo trained at Real's Ciudad training ground after telling Spanish court he wants to leave

Ronaldo trained at Real's Ciudad training ground after telling Spanish court he wants to leave

The 32-year-old prepares to let fly at goal as he returned to doing what he does best

The 32-year-old prepares to let fly at goal as he returned to doing what he does best

Ronaldo instructs his team-mates during the low-key training ground match in Madrid

Ronaldo instructs his team-mates during the low-key training ground match in Madrid

The images of Ronaldo being put through his paces are the first since reports he wanted to leave the club emerged earlier in the summer transfer window.

The 32-year-old told a Spanish court this week that he was unhappy in the country, admitting he wants to leave Real Madrid and return to England, just days before facing his old club.

During his 90 minute hearing in midweek he seems to have made it clear a summer exit is still on his mind. 

Spanish radio Cadena Ser revealed extracts of Ronaldo's defence in front of a judge this week held in a court just outside of Madrid as part of the investigation into his alleged €14.7m tax fraud.

Ronaldo spent the first part of the session with his team-mates before a private session

Ronaldo spent the first part of the session with his team-mates before a private session

Ronaldo is currently battling allegations of tax fraud in Spain worth €15 million

Ronaldo is currently battling allegations of tax fraud in Spain worth €15 million

The player had a private hearing with judge Monica Gomez Ferrer on Monday and it is not unusual for declarations to be leaked to the media often by the investigated parties themselves.

Cadena Ser reported on Friday that Ronaldo told the judge: 'I never had a problem in England… that's why I would like to go back to England.'

Ronaldo was furious when originally accused of tax evasion earlier this summer and the Portuguese paper 'A Bola' reported that he had made an 'irreversible' decision to leave Spain as a consequence.