Top Stories

Thursday Kickoff: Ronaldo suffers hamstring setback; Tigres win Copa MX; and more

CristianoRonaldoRealMadrid-RCDEspanyol (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

After missing two matches due to a knee injury, Cristiano Ronaldo is facing even more time on the sidelines.

Real Madrid released a medical report on Wednesday stating that medical tests have shown an injury to Ronaldo’s left hamstring. Multiple reports in Spain believe that Ronaldo will be out for at least 15 days.

If that injury timetable is correct, it would rule Ronaldo out of next Wednesday’s Copa Del Rey final against Barcelona and could potentially keep Ronaldo out of the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals, on April 21 or 22.

Reports state that Ronaldo didn’t attend training on Thursday morning at the club’s practice facility, leading to plenty of worry over his fitness.

Here are some more stories to start off your Thursday:

TIGRES CROWNED COPA MX CHAMPIONS

For the third time in club history, Tigres UANL are Copa MX champions.

The Liga MX side completed an unbeaten run through the competition during this Clausura campaign on Wednesday evening, defeating second division side Oaxaca, 3-0, at the Estadio Nuevo Leon. U.S. Men’s National Team pool player Jose Torres played the full 90 minutes for Tigres.

After both sides traded changes in the first 30 minutes of action, Tigres broke the deadlock with a penalty kick goal from Juninho in the 36th minute. El Tri call-up Alan Pulido put his team up 2-0 with a tap-in in the 67th minute, and Lucas Lobos completed the 3-0 victory with a terrific free kick that Oaxaca goalkeeper Sergio Arias couldn’t parry away.

ZIDANE RUMORED TO TAKE OVER MONACO POST

Just days after being linked with the Real Madrid managerial position when current manager Carlo Ancelotti’s contract runs out, Zinedine Zidane has been liked again with another top-tier job.

According to a report in French publication L’Equipe, Zidane is high on the shortlist of AS Monaco to take over for Claudio Ranieri at the end of the season. The report states that there is a 50 percent chance that Ranieri is sacked this summer, opening up the chance for Zidane’s first head coaching position.

The former French National Team legend is currently Ancelotti’s top assistant coach at Real Madrid. Other names being rumored to take over at Monaco are Paulo Bento, Jorge Jesus, and Fabio Capello.

QUICK KICKS

Atletico Madrid will not play Thibaut Courtois if they are drawn with Chelsea in the Champions League semifinals, as they would have to pay the English club an extra fee for the on-loan goalkeeper to play. (REPORT)

Manchester United manager David Moyes said he still believes players will be attracted to play at Man United despite likely missing out on next year’s Champions League. (REPORT)

Jose Mourinho has been fined by the FA £8,000 for entering the field of play during Chelsea’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on March 15. (REPORT)

The German Football Federation is in negotiations with Spain, Italy, England, the Netherlands, and Israel about setting up friendlies for the German National Team over the next two years. (REPORT)

AC Milan winger Stephen El Shaarawy is back in first team training after an extended absence due to a foot injury. (REPORT)

————

What do you think of these reports? How do you see Real Madrid performing without Ronaldo available? Impressed with Tigres’ Copa MX run? Do you see Zidane coaching at Monaco next season?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Ronaldo should be playing….every day. It’s a slight injury and the hammy will only get worse if he rests it. Needs to stretch it out. Sprints at top speed is the best therapy. This rest crap will ruin him for the World Cup. He needs a new medical staff looking out for his interests. US medical and specifically the US Soccer medical community would probably be happy to lend some guidance in CR7’s rehab.

    Reply
    • Since this is about the opposite of what you want to do, I’m going to assume/hope this is a joke. Either way, depending on the severity, hamstring injuries really suck. I have injured mine many times and the only thing you can do is rest. Sometimes you can bike or swim, but even that is difficult. It’s hard to stay in shape for the 2-4 weeks that you’re out. But I’m not a world class athlete sooo…

      He has about 2 months to get healthy and back in shape before the US game. Should be able to do it, but hamstring injuries can be quite lingering.

      Reply
  2. Ronaldo unfortunately has an ongoing knee issue as well and these “injuries” again are something to keep an eye out with the World Cup looming. For one I like to see all players fit and 100% come tourney time but this could linger. Portuguese fans have to be worried.

    Reply
  3. re: courtois, the dollar amount being thrown around is $3M per game.

    so it brings up an interesting question. would the inclusion of courtois make such an improvement on the team that it’s worth paying out $6M for the chance of pulling in at least $6.5 (if they lose the final) + tv revenue?

    anyone know how much tv revenue normally is? i know it’s split between countries, not clubs, so atletico would already have to share it with real madrid.

    Reply
    • really, the only reason anyone would consider playing courtois at all in this situation is because he’s so f—ing good. i could really see him being the difference against a team like chelsea.

      Reply
    • about time the US catches a break…. we lost Dolo, Holden, Gatt, and possibly Lichaj and Chandler to injuries…

      I like him but I hope CR misses the WC…. :))

      Reply
      • Only Dolo and Holden and possibly Chandler really matter out of that list. And I’m not really sure Chandler would be a starter or even on the plane the way he was playing. A healthy Holden from 2 years ago would be really nice though 🙁

      • From a USMNT point of view you want Cristiano there but not 100% fit.

        Portugal sometimes turns into a one man team waiting and waiting for Cristiano to turn it all around for them..

        W/o him their talent and experience is superior to the USMNT’s even with Pepe playing for them..

        Frankly, I think they might have an easier time beating the US w/o him because they are likely to be more focused and have a chip on their shoulder.

Leave a Comment