The two most expensive footballers in the world have met for the first time since Gareth Bale's incredible £86million move to Real Madrid.
He shook hands and shared a warm greeting with new team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo - the former most expensive player in the world - after reporting back to the club's training complex following the international break.
Bale played 32 minutes of Wales's World Cup qualifier with Serbia in Cardiff on Tuesday night and returned immediately to Spain in order to prepare for a likely debut at Villarreal on Saturday evening.
Dressed casually and sporting a trademark slick haircut, Bale was given a guided tour of the club's facilities, meeting Carlo Ancelotti and his colleagues on the coaching staff.
Ronaldo was formerly the world's most expensive player - Real paid Manchester United £80m for him back in 2009 - but the Portuguese, who has also been on international duty this week, didn't seem to mind that his status had been usurped.
After both Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao picked up injuries during the international break, it's possible that Bale will make his debut out of position at left back on Saturday.
Bale knows how strong the Real Madrid squad is - so he has been bulking up in preparation for the tough task of cementing himself in the team at the Bernabeu.
From his early days at Southampton he was known for his professionalism, athleticism and commitment to training, and just like Ronaldo, Bale has transformed from skinny teenager to supreme, muscular athlete.
Bale's pre-season has been disrupted because of his move from Tottenham to Real but he has spoken before about how crucial having a good summer is.
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