Ron risks Euros if he rushes back

> Ronaldo warned injury could worsen if he faces City

CRISTIANO RONALDO has been warned that he could miss this summer’s European Championships if he rushes his comeback from a hamstring injury.

The Real Madrid forward is hoping to be available for his side’s Champions League semifinal against Manchester City on Wednesday, having sat out of last week’s goalless first leg.

Ronaldo, however, has now been told by his national team’s doctor that a run-out against City could result in more serious damage.

Dr Nuno Campos does not believe that the Portugal international, who did not feature in Real Madrid’s 1-0 league win over Real Sociedad, should risk his fitness ahead of the tournament in France.

“If the diagnosis is really a micro tear, recovery lasts between 18 to 21 days – it takes 12 to 14 days to fully heal and another five to seven days for muscle recovery work,” said Campos, in an interview with a Portuguese newspaper, with the quotes initially picked up by AS.

“It would be less if it were a contracture and he could play against City,” he added.

“If you do that, having a micro tear, you risk aggravating the injury and jeopardising participation in the Euros.

“Cristiano is not normal as he overcomes many limitations, but this is a physiological issue. It is difficult to be fit before 20 or 21 days.

“The treatment they say they will do with stem cells may hasten recovery days, but few. It’s complicated.”

Karim Benzema is also a doubt for Wednesday’s second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, after being substituted with a muscle problem during last Tuesday’s 0-0 draw.

The Real Madrid striker has been consistently linked with a return to Old Trafford.

According to the player’s mother, Cristiano Ronaldo will not be returning to Manchester United.

Ronaldo himself has always indicated that it is a possibility, expressing his love for the club at which he spent six years and won the Champions League.

However, his mother Dolores Aveiro has said her son is set to remain at Real Madrid.

“Cristiano is happy here, he would like to finish his career at Real Madrid,” she said at the launch of her biography.

Ronaldo dominated headlines this week, purely by his absence through injury from Real Madrid’s 0-0 draw with Manchester City. His club looked desperately short of ideas in the Champions League semifinal first leg without their talisman.

Ronaldo indicated he could have played if he had to, seemingly sitting out as a precaution. It is rare for Ronaldo to miss a game unless absolutely necessary and, at his own insistence, he is almost never substituted.

Asked whether her son should rest more, Ms Aveiro said his desire to play comes from her.

“Ronaldo is a person who always wants more. He is like his mother. He has a strong personality, he is very proud and he always demands more. This is his worst defect.” – The Independent