Ronaldo will miss Sunday’s derby match against his former club and bitter rivals Barcelona, Real Madrid officials confirmed in Madrid on Saturday.
The Brazilian World Cup winner pulled up in training on Friday because of pain in his left hamstring, the same muscle where there were problems prior to last week’s game against Atletico Madrid, which he also missed.
”I think I would be ready to play in two or three days but it would be dangerous to play right now, I could miss the remaining four games of the season,” Ronaldo told Spanish reporters on Saturday.
”I desperately wanted to play, it’s one of those game I always want to play in, but it’s not going to be possible,” lamented the striker.
”The decision was left to me [by Real coach Carlos Queiroz] and I made the decision … it is better to be ready for the remainder of the championship.”
”I want every player at the maximum,” said Queiroz on Saturday, and Ronaldo commented that he was not at the 100% level demanded by Queiroz.
”Although I am not that far from it,” added Ronaldo.
Ronaldo is the Spanish first division’s leading scorer with 24 goals.
His teammates backed his decision to sit on the sidelines.
”It’s better that he is out for three days rather than three weeks,” said Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Ronaldo is likely to be replaced by Argentine winger Santiago Solari, with Raul Gonzalez moving into the centre of the attack.
However, Real’s medical staff also said on Saturday that Alvaro Mejia was fit to play after his recent niggles in his left calf.
Mejia is expected to fill in for the suspended Francisco Pavon, who was sent off against Atletico Madrid, in the centre of the Real defence.
The return of Mejia means Spanish international Ivan Helguera is expected to be the man that gets the nod to accompany England captain David Beckham in the midfield.
Real Madrid lie second in the Spanish title race with 70 points from 33 matches and five still to go.
League leaders Valencia are in pole position but only on goal difference, and travel to fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Barcelona are seven points adrift of the leading pair in third place but are unbeaten in 15 matches. — Sapa-AFP