Real Madrid players back from Christmas vacation

Spanish La Liga leaders Real Madrid are back in training after an eight-day Christmas break.

Real said in a statement that Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the squad returned to training. The squad divided into two groups and practised passes and changes in position in a closed door session Thursday.

Ricardo Carvalho, the Portuguese fullback, was also back in training having recovered from a ligament injury in his right knee suffered in early December, reports Xinhua.

Real are at the top of the league table with 40 points, three more than nearest rivals Barcelona.

They will play four matches in 11 days in the first half of January. Their first match will be at home against Malaga Tuesday in the King’s Cup.