skip to main content

Injury scare for Cristiano Ronaldo clouds Real Madrid's Champions League build-up

Trainers attend to Ronaldo after he suffered a thigh problem at Real Madrid training
Trainers attend to Ronaldo after he suffered a thigh problem at Real Madrid training

Cristiano Ronaldo has provided Real Madrid with an injury scare ahead of this weekend's Champions League final after suffering a thigh problem in training, but the star insisted he would be fit to play.

The Portugal forward hurt his left thigh when colliding with Kiko Casilla following a push from Dani Carvajal and, after receiving treatment on the field, threw a water bottle in anger as he headed for the changing rooms.

Real face city rivals Atletico Madrid in Milan on Saturday (live on RTÉ2 from 7pm) but Ronaldo claims his participation is not in doubt.

"It was a minor scare, a knock, but in a few days' time I will be well," the Portuguese forward said.

The 31-year-old missed the first leg of Real's semi-final against Manchester City with a thigh injury but thinks he is in better physical condition than he was before the final two years today.

"I believe I'm in better shape," he said. "I've had a slight problem but it's normal as I have been the most used player in the team.

"I think this is the season where I have played the most minutes. Besides the problem of today's training session, I believe I'm at my best level."

Real will be relieved not to lose their talisman as they are already without defender Raphael Varane due to a thigh problem that could also rule him out of Euro 2016.

The Frenchman may be sidelined for up to three weeks with the injury sustained in training last weekend and, with France's campaign starting on 10 June, could miss the tournament in his homeland.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, the former France skipper, said: "The only major drawback, and that really is very serious, is Varane.

"He is now out for Saturday. He may not be ready in two or three weeks. It is less serious than we thought. He will travel but will not play on Saturday.

"With regard to the selection I hope he can play the Euros. It's a blow for him and I'm worried about him."

Read Next