Real Madrid are waiting to discover whether Cristiano Ronaldo will be available for Friday’s decisive second leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Atletico Madrid – and their concern over the Portuguese star’s fitness also stretches much further into the future.
Ronaldo was substituted during half-time of Tuesday’s first leg, which ended in a 1-1 draw, and Madrid have so far revealed no further details on the severity of the Portuguese’s leg injury.
There are growing fears, however, that Ronaldo is still suffering from the knee injury which dogged him throughout the latter stages of last season and during the World Cup, and his availability may be heavily restricted this season.
Ronaldo has been remarkably injury-free throughout the course of his career, making at least 29 appearances in each of his 11 seasons since breaking into the Manchester United first team in 2003.
However, he turns 30 in February and is feared to be suffering from tendinosis, a chronic knee injury that will never be completely cured and requires careful management.
Ronaldo has remained upbeat over his fitness, insisting the problems of last season are now behind him, but there are genuine concerns within Madrid’s medical department that he risks being forced into a lengthy spell on the sidelines if he continues to play every week.
The worries over Ronaldo’s fitness could have an unexpected consequence on the future of Angel Di Maria, who received a warm ovation when he emerged as a late substitute against Atletico.
Di Maria has been heavily tipped to leave the Bernabeu following the capture of James Rodriguez, but his popularity with the fans and the possibility of Ronaldo missing a large chunk of games this season could force club president Florentino Perez into a rethink.