REAL MADRID FACES an anxious wait on the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo after the star suffered a recurrence of his longstanding thigh injury ahead of today’s final game of the season against Espanyol.
Despite seeing their chances of La Liga glory disappear following last week’s loss at Celta Vigo last weekend, Real named a surprisingly strong starting XI that initially included Ronaldo.
However, the Portuguese star left the warm-up early shaking his head and was subsequently ruled out of the game, with Isco taking his place in the starting XI.
The 29-year-old Portuguese player had previously missed Real’s defeat to Celta Vigo due to the problem, but had intended to return to action to prove his match fitness ahead of the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid next Saturday.
The setback means he is now a big doubt for next week’s all-important game in Lisbon.
His absence also means Ronaldo will share the European golden boot with Liverpool’s Luis Suarez as both men managed 31 league goals this season.
Additional reporting by AFP
