On Thursday, before getting the training session underway at the UCLA campus, the squad had another chance to interact with a group of fans. The players signed autographs and posed for photos with the fans who were more than happy. This time there were also many little kids who were meeting their “superheroes” for the first time in real life. Real Madrid keep on receiving numerous shows of support from their fans during their stay in the United States.
The squad then went ahead to complete another day of training at the campus facilities of the UCLA, as Carlo Ancelotti’s underwent a double session as they continue their pre-season preparation. The next game in the Soccer Champions Tour sees the Whites go head-to-head with Juventus at the Rose Bowl Stadium in the Californian city (Sunday, 4 am CET, Saturday 7 pm local time).
The morning session kicked off in the gym and continued with exercises on the pitch with the ball. Meanwhile, the goalkeepers performed specific drills. Afterwards, the squad combined tactics and technique and played several matches on different sized pitches. The training session finished with crosses and shots, a series of runs and stretching exercises.
The first surprise of the day was the visit of Real Madrid legend Gareth Bale. Bale came to watch Real Madrid's training session at the UCLA campus and meet with his former teammates from whom he separated less than two months ago, after completing the victory of his 5th Champions League and 3rd La Liga.
Dressed casually, Bale appeared through a back door at the complex and was spotted by his former teammates as soon as he set foot on the grass at UCLA. He caught up with the Real Madrid players, most of all with David Alaba, Eden Hazard, and Luka Modric. The latter was the player with whom he was closest during his time in Spain. Bale and coach Carlo Ancelotti were also very affectionate with one another, warmly embracing each other and enjoying a pleasant conversation.
Gareth Bale is smiling again in California, and he hopes that LAFC provide him with everything he needs to make it to the 2022 World Cup at the top of his game and in peak physical health as well. The Welshman has been getting to know his new city recently, and he's been enjoying his summer there so far. Bale played 18 minutes against Nashville and did reasonably well, and then scored in a 25-minute appearance against Kansas City where he got several standing ovations from the lively crowd.
Later, it was Atlanta Hawks NBA player Trae Young who visited Real Madrid at their second training session of the day which at the UCLA campus. The UCLA campus is not far from where Young had been staying over the past week. The player was handed a Vini Jr. jersey and chatted with a number of players from the squad. He even posted in his Twitter profile, saying: Real Madrid ♥ Can’t wait to go to a game soon!
The NBA Star said: "It's exciting, it's crazy. It's a different sport for me, I have a lot of fun around here and I'm happy they let me be here watching. I'm here as a fan, enjoying myself. I know a couple of the players personally, like Vini, and I've come to watch them. I'm a fan”.
Young has a friendship with Vinicius and attended a training session led by Carlo Ancelotti that lasted more than an hour and a half: "Great player. He always accompanies me and today he asked me to come to training and here is Madrid, always," said Vinicius after giving his friend his 'Merengue' shirt with the number 20.
Meanwhile, Emilio Butragueño welcomed the Northern California supporters' club at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. The Real Madrid Director of Institutional Relations greeted the fans and posed for photos with them.
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