Cristiano Ronaldo plays down injury scare to boost Real Madrid for run-in

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo: 'All good' after injury scare

Real Madrid beat Villarreal 3-0 and Atlético Madrid edged out Athletic Bilbao 1-0 as bothtitle challengers stayed hard on Barcelona’s heels

Cristiano Ronaldo has downplayed an injury sustained late in Real Madrid’s 3-0 win against Villarreal in La Liga.

The striker caused a scare when was substituted in Wednesday’s game and left the pitch limping with an apparent muscle injury in his right leg.

UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid

Ronaldo posted an Instagram photo on Thursday saying: “All good. Thanks for your support”.
Real had said Ronaldo would have medical tests as a precaution while Zinedine Zidane admitted he should rest the forward, who had played all but one minute of his side’s 43 league and European matches, more often.

“He got a fright but I don’t think it is anything serious,” Zidane told AS. “I am calmer now than when I saw him leave the pitch. For a coach when you have a player like Cristiano sometimes it is necessary for him to not play a game or not finish a match.”

Real’s next match is on Saturday at Rayo Vallecano before facing Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. Real are one point behind Barcelona and Atlético Madrid with four matches remaining.

Real Madrid to offer Cristiano Ronaldo new four-year contract

Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo has told his fans that he is fine after his injury scare on Wednesday and that he is grateful for their concern.

Los Blancos coach Zinedine Zidane played down injury fears after the Portuguese international picked up an apparent thigh muscle problem and left the pitch in added time in Wednesday's 3-0 La Liga win over Villarreal at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Ronaldo on Thursday posted a message on his Instagram feed for his fans, saying: "All good. Thanks for your support."

Ronaldo walked off the Bernabeu pitch in injury time clutching the back of his thigh and there was immediate worry that his place in the team for next week's Champions League semifinal first leg with Manchester City could be in jeopardy.

Real Madrid remain in the title race after goals from Karim Benzema, Lucas Vazquez and Luka Modric earned them a hard-fought 3-0 win at home to Villarreal.

Los Blancos were also boosted on Thursday after winger Gareth Bale returned to training following a back injury that forced him to sit out against Villarreal.
Madrid stay third in the Primera Division table on 78 points, one behind leaders Barcelona and second-placed Atletico.

Zidane on Wednesday said he didn't think the injury was serious.

"He felt something that hurt right toward the end. Right now I can't tell you anything about it. I think it is more of a scare than anything serious," Zidane said. "We will take a look at it after the match to see what is going on. I am less worried now than I was when he left the pitch. It scared him and that is why he left. He was worried, but in the end it was just a scare."

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane is optimistic Cristiano Ronaldo's injury against Villarreal is not serious.

Karim Benzema has scored 23 goals in La Liga this season.

Raphael Varane believes Karim Benzema is even more motivated to help Real Madrid reach their goals after being omitted from France's Euro 2016 squad.

Benzema, 28, scored his 23rd league goal of the season as Real beat fourth-placed Villarreal 3-0 on Wednesday to stay just one point behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.
The former Lyon forward is also likely to be an important factor in his side's upcoming Champions League semifinal against Manchester City.
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Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane played down injury fears over superstar Cristiano Ronaldo following Wednesday's 3-0 La Liga win over Villarreal at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

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