Nobody wants to see injuries rule the world’s best players out of big games but Liverpool supporters will, for the most part, have been hoping for a Ronaldo-less Real Madrid at the end of the month.
Cristiano Ronaldo limped out of Sunday’s El Clasico with an ankle injury and doubt was immediately cast on whether or not the Real Madrid talisman would return in time for the Champions League final.
May 26 will see Real and Liverpool meet in Kiev to decide the best team in Europe and with Liverpool underdogs for the final, Reds fans would have been crossing their fingers that Ronaldo wouldn’t be fully fit because he remains the Spanish side’s biggest threat.
But Real manager Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that the reigning Ballon d’Or holder will be back firing on all cylinders in time for the biggest game of the season.
“Everyone will be okay for the final — Cristiano, Isco and Carvajal,” Zidane assured, via ESPN.
“Cristiano is the one who will be out longest, as it just happened two days ago. But he is good, walking normally. Isco trained with us normally, Carva is still a bit away, has not trained with us yet, but physically he is working well. Nobody will have any problems for the final, they will all be at 150 per cent.”
Ronaldo scored in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Barcelona and initially tried to play through the pain barrier but was forced to withdraw at half-time.
The 33-year-old has not yet returned to training with his teammates but Zidane remains in no doubt that Ronaldo will be back for the Champions League final.
“What is incredible is that he is already walking around perfectly so soon after the injury,” Zidane added. “There is a strain, but no big damage.
“The ankle is stable. We do not know when he will be back with the group, but he has that motivation and ambition to always want to play. We do not know yet if he will be back for Villarreal, but it would be perfect to have everyone ready for that final La Liga game.”
