Cristiano Ronaldo addressed the media following Real Madrid's first training session in Los Angeles.

Real Madrid's presence has greatly stirred UCLA students. Close to 200 of them waited outside the training facilities to see their idols and get an autograph. Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema were the most-sought members of the squad.

The players took the training pitch half an hour ahead of schedule to do stretching exercises and some minor ball work. Coach Jose Mourinho gathered his 18 men (first teamers Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, Diarra, Lass, Pedro Leon, Granero, Dudek, Adan, Benzema, Gago, Marcelo, Garay and Drenthe; and the academy's Morata, Tebar, Juanfran, Alex and Nacho) around him to give them an introductory speeh.

Mahamadou Diarra has been called by Mali's new national coach, Alain Giresse, for a friendly to take place on 11 August in Marignane, France.

At approximately 18:30 PST (3:30 CET) Real Madrid arrived at the Beverly Hills Hotel in California, where they will stay until 7 August. The players looked tired after an almost 14 hour flight, but they still had time to sign the first autographs for fans who were waiting for their arrival. They later spent the afternoon resting. Starting on Thursday, the squad will participate in a two-a-day training sessions at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles).

Real Madrid have arrived in Los Angeles to begin their preseason training in the USA. The stage concludes on 7 August, when the team returns to Madrid.

Fernando Gago has found his way onto the squad list for Argentina's 11 August friendy against Ireland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria were also called up by the Albiceleste for the first time since the World Cup earlier this summer.

Real Madrid are planebound for Los Angeles, where they will land at approximately 1:20 am CET on Thursday. The team will stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel located on Sunset Boulevard.

Placido Domingo has always professed his Madridismo and even recorded Real Madrid's centenary anthem in 2002. The tenor visited the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday evening and was received by President Florentino Perez and Director General Jorge Valdano, who presented him with a personalised Real Madrid number '1' shirt.

Jerzy Dudek addressed the media following Tuesday's evening session.