MADRID, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Spanish first division league giant Real Madrid returned to training on Thursday after an an eight-day Christmas break.

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

Ricardo Carvalho, the Portuguese fullback, returned to training for the first time from a ligament injury in his right knee suffered in early December.

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

They will face four matches in 11 days during the first half of January. Their first match after the Christmas break will be at home against Malaga on Tuesday in the King's Cup.