Cristiano Ronaldo Sits Out Real Madrid Practice With Muscle Pain, Probable For Valencia Clash

Real Madrid's enigmatic star, the Portuguese attacker Cristiano Ronaldo, sat out practice yesterday in Madrid because as a precaution: he reported to Valdebebas with pain in his left quad, probably the result of overuse (they call it a "sobrecarga" in Spanish). While the injury is worrisome considering how many matches he has played (and his high-octane style), it doesn't look like it will force him to miss Real Madrid's upcoming tilt against Valencia in the Mestalla (Saturday night, 22:00 CET, 4:00 PM EST).

Cristiano played every minute of Portugal's two matches against Bosnia in the all-important playoff for entry into the 2012 Eurocup: Portugal drew the first match 0-0 on a terrible Bosnian field, and won the second leg at home 6-2 thanks to two goals from Ronaldo and Manchester United's Nani. (Who said he doesn't score in big matches?)

It's important for Madrid that Ronaldo comes back from the international break firing on all cylinders, as los blancos face the most complicated part of their schedule in the next month and a half, with matches at Valencia and Sporting, and at home against Atlético Madrid and FC Barcelona.