MADRID, April 24 (Reuters) - Real Madrid
striker Ronaldo will miss Sunday's Primera Liga clash against arch-rivals
Barcelona after it was decided he should not risk aggravating a thigh injury.
"I am recovering and should be 100 percent
fit in two or three days," Ronaldo told a press conference after training on
Saturday.
"But given the explosive nature of my game
we decided it would be a risk to play tomorrow," he added. "These are the
sort of games I like best, but it just isn't possible and it is better to
miss just one game rather than the remaining four."
The Brazilian international was thought to
be on course to re-appear in Sunday's match at the Bernabeu after spending
two weeks on the sidelines because of an injury sustained during the 3-0
defeat by Osasuna.
But he was unable to complete training on
Friday after feeling pain in his leg as he kicked the ball towards the end
of the session and despite 24 hours extra treatment was left out of the
squad.
Ronaldo suffered a similar injury to the
same leg last month and was unable to play in the King's Cup final against
Real Zaragoza, a game Real went on to lose 3-2 in extra time.
Barcelona also suffered a blow on Saturday
when in-form winger Luis Garcia had to withdraw because of a groin strain.
Real Madrid are second in the Primera Liga,
level on points with leaders Valencia and seven ahead of Barcelona.
Valencia, who lead by virtue of their better
head-to-head record against Real, have a tricky away match at fifth-placed
Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.