Madrid, Spain (SportsNetwork.com) - Real Madrid midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo has been ruled out of Wednesday's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona due to knee and thigh problems, Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed on Tuesday.
"He is unavailable because it could be a risk to put him on the pitch and we have other important games this season," Ancelotti said. "We will be missing a player with incredible quality. But the team can play well. It will motivate the rest.
"Working as a unit is of course the objective and that is what we have been training for. "I don't think there will be any problem motivating the players, they are all very motivated and very excited. I am seeing a lot of desire to play this final."
The Portuguese superstar has not played since the Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Borussia Dortmund on April 2 -- a 3-0 win for Real Madrid.
The 29-year-old, who has scored 45 goals in all competitions this season, is now hoping to return for Madrid's Champions League semifinal first leg match against defending European champions Bayern Munich on April 23.
[SportsNetwork.com]
