Real Madrid Injury News: Will Cristiano Ronaldo Play In Champions League Final?

Cristiano Ronaldo has given Real Madrid an injury scare just four days ahead of the Champions League final by limping out of training on Tuesday. The Portuguese star suffered a knock to his thigh after colliding with the team’s backup goalkeeper Kiko Casilla following a push from Dani Carvajal. After receiving treatment from the club’s physios, Ronaldo left the session early, but quickly reassured fans that his participation in Saturday’s clash with local rivals Atlético Madrid was not in jeopardy.

“I had a problem in training,” he told Real Madrid TV. “A bocadillo [a big bruise] as they say in Spain. But I’ll be fine by tomorrow or the day after.”

Real Madrid will be looking to replicate their victory over Atlético in the 2014 Champions League final, when Ronaldo scored Real’s final goal from the penalty spot to seal a 4-1 win in extra time. As was the case two years ago, the match represents a chance to make up for falling short in La Liga. This time around, Real Madrid won their last 12 matches of the season under new coach Zinedine Zidane yet still finished a point behind Barcelona.

Ronaldo, though, believes the team is in a good place.

“I’m relaxed,” he said. “We’re training well, and we’ll certainly be prepared. We’re in a good moment after finishing the league in great form. A win on Saturday would make our season.”

While Ronaldo is expected to be fit and firing at Milan’s San Siro, Zidane has already ruled out one member of his squad. Raphael Varane suffered a thigh injury in training over the weekend and Zidane has confirmed that even the France international’s participation in this summer’s Euro 2016 is in doubt,

“Right now he's out for Saturday,” Zidane said at a media open day. “He'll not be ready in two or three weeks. It's less serious than what we thought. He’ll travel but he'll not be able to play on Saturday. Regarding the national team, I hope he can play in the European Championships. It's a blow for him and I'm worried for him.”

There are also concerns over the fitness of James Rodríguez and Alvaro Arbeloa, although Zidane is hopeful that they could recover in time to be available.

“James is also a bit better and so is Arbeloa,” he added.

It is highly unlikely that either Arbeloa or James would have started even if fully fit, however. Right-back Arbeloa has been behind Dani Carvajal and Danilo in the pecking order this season and is set to leave the club when his contract expires this summer. James could also be on his way out having found himself out of favor since Zidane took the reins in January.

Rather than James, Zidane has opted for the more defensive-minded presence of Brazilian Casemiro, who Zidane has again praised ahead of the Champions League final.

"He's an important player,” he said. “Working every day you can earn your place, and he's shown that. He has been important for the balance of the team.”