Real Madrid stars left awestruck after meeting giant basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal

Real Madrid legends Marcelo, Mateo Kovacic and Keylor Navas were left starstruck after meeting 7ft tall basketball hero Shaquille O’Neal in America. Th e European champions have been based in California on their pre-season tour. And in a break from their preparations for the new season, the La Liga giants took time out to meet a fellow giant of the sporting world. Th e LA Lakers legend towered over his footballing counterparts as they came – not quite – face to face . O’Neal retired from basketball in 2011 after a 19-year career in the sport that took him through fi ve teams, from Orlando Magic to Boston Celtics. Kovacic and Navas shook hands with the 45-yearold, while full back Marcelo grinned broadly and gave a thumb up to the camera. Real were beaten in their opening pre-season friendly on Sunday night, losing on penalties to Manchester United after sharing a 1-1 draw in normal time. Zinedine Zidane’s side face Manchester City and Barcelona in their remaining two International Champions Cup fi xtures this month.

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