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`Ronaldo unlikely to play Madrid La Liga opener`

Nasim || risingbd.com

Published: 06:53, 30 July 2016   Update: 15:18, 26 July 2020
`Ronaldo unlikely to play Madrid La Liga opener`

Sport Desk: The Euro 2016 winner is unlikely to feature in his club`s league opener against Real Sociedad, according to his coach, as he continues his recovery after injury.

Zinedine Zidane does not expect Cristiano Ronaldo to be fit for Real Madrid`s first game of the season next month.

The Portuguese superstar captained his country to an unlikely Euro 2016 success earlier in July but suffered a knee injury in the final after a heavy tackle from France`s Dimitri Payet.

The forward has taken plenty of pre-season snaps in the gym as he enjoys his extended holiday, but is yet to join Real Madrid training ahead of the new season.

Now, Zidane has ruled Ronaldo out of the UEFA Super Cup clash against Europa League winners Sevilla as well as casting doubt over his availability for the first league game of the season against Real Sociedad on August 21.

"Cristiano is out for the Super Cup. For the first game of the season, we`ll see," the Real Madrid coach said.

"His injury needs one month and then he has to prepare, because he will not be at his best after a month without doing anything.

"Between the Super Cup and the league opener will be 10 days. We`ll see. He`ll be with us, but I don`t think he will play the first match [of the league season]."

Zidane is less concerned about Karim Benzema ahead of the Super Cup, but said the striker would not play in Madrid`s International Champions Cup match against Chelsea on Saturday.

"His discomfort does not go away, but it is better and hopefully he can play a little in the third game. It is important to play a little before the cup," he said.

Source: agencies

risingbd/Dhaka/July 30, 2016/Nasim

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