Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he is less than fully fit but should be raring to go when the Olympic football tournament begins.
Although he expects to be sharp and ready to play in Portugal's opening Olympic encounter against Iraq in Athens tomorrow night, Ronaldo's admission may raise slight concerns at Old Trafford.
"I am not 100 per cent ready but I believe that I will be healthy and fit at the premiere," said Ronaldo. "I am here to help my country's Olympic team."
The 19-year-old is coming into the Olympic tournament on the back of a hectic year, during which he helped United win the FA Cup and his country reach the final of Euro 2004.
United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz had told Portuguese newspaper A Bola that his call-up to the Olympic squad could exacerbate niggling injuries.
But the Portuguese Football Federation published a medical bulletin yesterday, expressing their belief that Ronaldo is in shape to play in the tournament.
Filed by Aidan O'Doherty
