Real to defy Portugal request for injured Ronaldo

November 6, 2009

Real Madrid have told Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz in no uncertain terms they will not make star striker Cristiano Ronaldo available for two crucial World Cup qualifying playoffs.

Portugal face Bosnia over two legs on November 14 and 18 with the winner qualifying for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Ronaldo initially injured his right ankle in Real’s 3-0 Champions League victory over Marseille at the end of September and aggravated the problem while playing for Portugal on October 10.

On Thursday Real announced he would be out for another two weeks, effectively ruling him out of the playoffs.

Queiroz, however, believes Ronaldo should be made available, with reports claiming he will ask to have Ronaldo examined by a federation doctor to assess his fitness.

When that news reached Madrid, Real’s sporting director Jorge Valdano said: “A combination of doctors’ orders and common sense mean that Cristiano won’t be travelling to Portugal.

Real coach Manuel Pellegrini added: “It’s impossible for Ronaldo to play with Portugal.

“I feel sorry for the Portugal squad and for the player, but he hasn’t trained for a long time now and he is still in pain.”

Queiroz is reported as saying he will wait until after the weekend’s league matches before unveiling his squad for Bosnia.

“From now until Sunday a lot of things can transpire, with Ronaldo as with other players,” Queiroz is reported as saying in Correio da Manha.

Portugal play Bosnia in Lisbon before travelling to Zenica four days later.

MADRID (AFP)

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