Cristiano Ronaldo plays down injury fears ahead of Champions League final

By James Kilpatrick

Image: Cristiano Ronaldo says the injury he suffered is just a 'knock'

Cristiano Ronaldo has played down fears over his fitness ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League final against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

The three-time Ballon d'Or winner was forced to leave Real's training session on Tuesday, which was part of an open media day, after competing for a ball with reserve goalkeeper Kiko Casilla and collapsing to the floor.

Several members of Real Madrid's medical staff helped to pick the star forward up off the floor, and the Portugal international was able to hobble off the pitch unassisted.

Cristiano Ronaldo got injured whilst training for Real Madrid, but will he be fit for their Champions League final against Atletico Madrid?

Ronaldo left the session with training still in progress, and was seen to throw a water bottle away in anger as he headed for the changing rooms.

But speaking after the training session, Ronaldo insisted his limp was nothing more than the result of a dead leg.

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Image: Ronaldo went down after going up for a ball with Real Madrid reserve goalkeeper Kiko Casilla

"I am fine. I had a little problem in training, a dead leg as they say here, but tomorrow [Wednesday] or the next day I will be fine. It was a minor scare, a knock," he said.

Ronaldo came off at half-time of Real Madrid's final game of the La Liga season at Deportivo La Coruna 10 days ago having scored twice in the first half to take his tally for the season to 51.

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He then sat out a practice match on Saturday ahead of this weekend's showdown with city rivals Atletico at the San Siro in Milan.

Image: The Madrid medical staff take a look at Ronaldo's thigh to assess the persistent problem he has had this season

Prior to this latest injury scare, coach Zinedine Zidane said Ronaldo would be fit for the Champions League final, despite a persistent thigh problem.

And Ronaldo also thinks he is in better physical condition than he was before the final two years ago when Real beat Atletico 4-1 after extra time in Lisbon.

"I believe I'm in better shape," he said. "I've had a slight problem but it's normal as I have been the most used player in the team.

"I think this is the season where I have played the most minutes. Besides the problem of today's training session, I believe I'm at my best level."

Image: Ronaldo was helped up by Real Madrid's medical staff

Real are already without defender Raphael Varane for the final due to a thigh problem.

"The only major drawback, and that really is very serious, is Varane," said Zidane. "He is now out for Saturday. He may not be ready in two or three weeks. It is less serious than we thought. He will travel but will not play on Saturday.

"With regard to the selection I hope he can play the Euros. It's a blow for him and I'm worried about him."

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