Real Madrid's second "galactico" era got underway on Friday as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema led football's most expensive squad through its first preseason practice.

New coach Manuel Pellegrini spoke to the team briefly ahead of a training session that included most of Madrid's 29 players except Brazil playmaker Kaka, defenders Sergio Ramos and Raul Albiol, goalkeeper Iker Casillas and midfielder Daniel Parejo. They will join the team on July 27.

Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and midfielder Mahamadou Diarra trained for the first time after missing most of last season to knee injuries.

In all, five new players trained at Valdebebas after Madrid exercised its option to buy striker Alvaro Negredo back from Almeria and ended Ezequiel Garay's loan spell with Racing Santander.

Madrid president Florentino Perez has spent euro209 million ($290 million) to recruit Ronaldo, Kaka, Benzema and Albiol in hopes of returning Madrid to its standing as the world's biggest club.

Last season, Madrid lost its domestic title and endured a difficult campaign.

Main rival Barcelona became the first Spanish club to win three trophies in a season following league, domestic cup and Champions League triumphs, while former president Ramon Calderon resigned in January following a vote-rigging scandal.

Madrid will travel to Dublin on Monday for a 10-day training camp that will see it play Shamrock Rovers on July 22.

After that, it returns to Spain to play in the Peace Cup before a trip to North America for matches against Toronto FC on July 7 and DC United two days later.

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