This Is Personal!! Don't Be Fooled By Any Handshake: Cristiano Ronaldo Slides In Dangerously On Gareth Bale Several Times During Real Madrid Training Session

Having lost his tag as the world's most expensive player to Gareth Bale, it is perhaps understandable Cristiano Ronaldo would have wanted to show his new Real Madrid team-mate who is boss at the Bernabeu.
In just Bale's third full training session since joining from Tottenham in a £86million move, he was on the end of a rare sliding tackle from the former Manchester United star - who was probably keen to show the Welsh wizard what it takes to become the Real deal.

Although Pepe seems to be laughing in the background at what looks like a typical training ground challenge between two team-mates, closer inspection reveals that Ronaldo shows no mercy on Bale by flying into his ankle.

Bale appeared to be OK following the incident - but he did not seem very happy. It wasn't the first incident, and in fact the training session featured a number of challenges from Ronaldo on the Welshman.

Ronaldo was the previous most expensive player in the world following his £80m move to Madrid from Manchester United in 2009 and judging by these pictures isn't about to let Bale enjoy an easy ride and settle in to his first few weeks at the Bernabeu.

It highlights the possible inter-team rivalry that could develop between two of the world's biggest stars in a campaign where Madrid will be hoping to reclaim the La Liga crown as well as win their first Champions League trophy since 2002.
If Carlo Ancelotti is to achieve either target though, he may want his two star players to avoid wiping each other out in training first.
Bale has already gone out his way to acknowledge that Ronaldo is still the main man at the Spanish side, but it appears to have done little to calm the Portugal star.

This incident came a day after Bale said: 'It was amazing to meet Cristiano yesterday, he's a nice guy. He made me feel welcome.'

Bale said: 'Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world. He is one of the major reasons I have signed. He was a massive factor in joining and hopefully we can win trophies together.'
Asked if he had come to help Ronaldo, Bale said: 'He doesn't need my help. He is already at the top and I am looking forward to playing alongside him and learning from him.'
When asked what will happen when Madrid get their first free-kick on the edge of the area and he and Ronaldo are left standing over the set-piece he said: 'I will have to ask him.'