Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play his first La Liga game of the season against Real Betis on Wednesday, with the star put through his paces on the eve of the match.
Ronaldo has missed Madrid’s opening four La Liga games of the campaign due to a suspension imposed when he pushed the match official after being sent off in the Spanish Super Cup first leg at Barcelona in August.
He has been forced to miss games against Deportivo, Valencia, Levante and Real Sociedad – as well as the second leg against Barca – but will return to the starting line-up at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo smiles during the training session at Valdebebas
Ronaldo will make his first La Liga appearance of the season following his five-game ban
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane speaks to Borja Mayoral during the training session
Zidane is likely to recall Ronaldo from the start against Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu
Madrid have dropped league points without him, with Ronaldo’s supreme finishing ability absent during two home draws. Gareth Bale’s form has been inconsistent while Karim Benzema is now injured.
Alvaro Morata’s sale to Chelsea coupled with Ronaldo’s suspension meant Borja Mayoral was thrown in at Anoeta on Sunday, and while the youngster scored in the victory, the club’s talisman has been sorely missed.
Real’s all-time record goalscorer was in relaxed mood as he limbered up for his first league game of the campaign, knowing he has ground to make up in the race for the golden boot with Lionel Messi again leading the way with five goals so far.
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane told the media ahead of the clash: ‘We have to think that this is the last time that Cristiano [Ronaldo] will be out.
Madrid captain Sergio Ramos enjoys a lighter moment in training ahead of facing Betis
Dani Ceballos plays with Ramos as Marco Asensio watches on before the game on Wedneday
Madrid full-back Marcelo is also set to return from his own suspension at the Bernabeu
‘We do need him, it’s Cristiano, he is a very important player for everything that he has done.
‘When Cristiano is not with us we still have a good squad to do things well. It’s important to know we have got other players that come in and do things the correct way.’
Zidane may also recall Toni Kroos after the Germany international returned to training with the squad having missed Sunday’s 3-1 win at Sociedad due to a muscle problem.
Marcelo is also back from suspension and should start in his customary left-back position, but Mateo Kovacic, Benzema and Jesus Vallejo are all still sidelined.
Meanwhile, Betis keeper Antonio Adan is concerned his team could be on the receiving end of Ronald’s ire after a month in which he has primarily been a frustrated spectator.
Adan told AS: ‘Ronaldo is the best, obviously. For sure he will want to score now all the goals he couldn’t before.
‘We must work well defensively and when we have the ball, play our own style.’
Gareth Bale scored in the 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad and will look to build on his strike
Isco has made an encouraging start to the season but the club trail Barcelona by four points
Real Madrid’s French defender Raphael Varane gets a feel of the ball during a sunny session
Luka Modric looks to regain posession during a game of ‘piggy in the middle’ at Valdebebas