Ronaldo left off Real Madrid's 19-man squad for penultimate La Liga tie
Real Madrid will be without Cristiano Ronaldo for the penultimate match of the season after the Portuguese star was left off manager Zinedine Zidane’s 19-man squad for Saturday’s clash with Celta Vigo.
Ronaldo, who was also absent for Real Madrid’s loss to Sevilla on Wednesday, suffered an ankle injury during El Clasico with Barcelona last week.
It’s unclear if the knock is preventing him from being available for Saturday’s fixture or if Zidane is resting the 32-year-old to ensure he’s fully fit for the Champions League final against Liverpool on May 26.
? This is our squad for tonight’s LaLiga match against @RCCelta!#RMMovistar | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Ax4RZ5Z7JI
— Real Madrid C.F.???? (@realmadriden) May 12, 2018
Despite Ronaldo’s absence in the team sheet, Real Madrid fans will be encouraged by his prospects of featuring in the final in Kyiv, Ukraine, after he participated in Friday’s training session without any signs of being bothered by the injury.
? We’re all set for our clash with @RCCelta! #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/fefkndO3K5
— Real Madrid C.F.???? (@realmadriden) May 11, 2018
Real Madrid is expected to field a strong team, as Zidane pledged that he wants to “treat” supporters to a victory to cap off the final league match of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“It’s the last game of the season at our stadium and we want to give our fans one last treat by winning the match,” Zidane said Friday. “They deserve it and that’s what we are going to try to do tomorrow. We will give everything to make those who come to watch the last home game leave happy.”
A victory Saturday could result in Real Madrid – which sits 18 points back of Liga champion Barcelona – moving into second place if Atletico Madrid falters during its match Saturday against Getafe.
