MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo has reassured Real Madrid fans he will be fit to play in Saturday’s Champions League final against Atletico Madrid in Milan after limping out of Tuesday’s training session.

Ronaldo failed to complete training for the third session in a row, leaving the pitch with a thigh problem following a clash with Real goalkeeper Kiko Casilla.

He appeared in pain and stayed on the ground for a few moments as players surrounded him with concern. After being assisted on the field, the Portuguese forward walked off the pitch on his own and doctors quickly dismissed any serious injuries.

“It was a minor scare, a knock, but in a few days’ time I will be well,” the Portuguese forward told reporters.

The 31-year-old missed the first leg of Real’s semi-final against Manchester City with a thigh injury but thinks he is in better physical condition than he was before the final two years today.

“I believe I’m in better shape,” he said. “I’ve had a slight problem but it’s normal as I have been the most used player in the team.

“I think this is the season where I have played the most minutes. Besides the problem of today’s training session, I believe I’m at my best level.”

Real’s goalscoring machine is just one victory away from clinching his third European crown.

Ronaldo is one goal short of matching his own record of 17 in the competition set in the 2013-14 campaign when the team lifted the European Cup for the 10th time.

“I would love to equal or even surpass that record,” Ronaldo said. “But it is not an obsession. The record is mine whether I score or not in the final. The important thing is that we win.” Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in Europe’s elite club competition with 93 goals, 78 for Real.

The former Manchester United player netted the last goal in the final in Lisbon two years ago when Real defeated Atletico 4-1 after extra-time.

Ronaldo has amassed 51 goals in 47 games in all competitions this season but none against Atletico.

“I’m focused,” he said. “This is the game of our lives. “The best two teams are in the final. I believe we are better but we have to play a good game. I think we will win and lift the European Cup again on Saturday.”

To do so Real must break down a rock solid Atletico defence that has kept 35 clean sheets in 56 games this season, including shutouts at home to Barcelona and Bayern Munich in dumping the Spanish and German champions out at the quarter-final and semi-final stages respectively.

Atletico also managed a 1-0 win at Real’s Santiago Bernabeu to inflict Real coach Zinedine Zidane’s only La Liga defeat in four months in charge when the sides last met in February.

“Atletico always play the same way. We know there will be very few opportunities because they all play behind the ball,” continued Ronaldo.

“It is no coincidence that Barca and Bayern couldn’t score many goals against them.”

ZIDANE PRAISES SIMEONE

Zidane confirmed he expects Ronaldo to be fully fit for the final.

“There will be no problem,” said Zidane. “He will be ready for Saturday and I think we are in good shape physically.”

However, there isn’t such good news for French defender Raphael Varane as Zidane confirmed he will miss Saturday’s final due to a hamstring injury.

Varane was unlikely to start at the San Siro in any case with captain Sergio Ramos and Pepe Zidane’s preferred central defensive partnership.

An 11th European Cup would cap a sensational start to Zidane’s senior management career having turned around Real’s fortunes with 21 wins from 26 games since replacing the sacked Rafael Benitez in January.

“I think everybody feels the fun comes back a little bit when he arrived, “said Real midfielder Toni Kroos.

Zidane had few equals as a player but heading into his first Champions League final as a coach, he admits that unlike Atletico counterpart Diego Simeone — who has led Atletico to their second Champions League final in three years — he still has much to learn.

“He has everything that a coach needs but above all, he knows his team and his players well, which is the most important thing,” Zidane said.

“I have a lot to learn but my enthusiasm to learn is tremendous. This will make me improve. I still have a long journey to be an important coach.”

Saturday cannot come soon enough for Zidane, who could become the seventh man to win the European Cup as a player and a coach.

The Frenchman’s spectacular volley in the final in Glasgow in 2002 gave Real their ninth European title and they claimed a record 10th crown in 2014.

“I’m excited and happy,” the 43-year-old said. “I am looking forward to the final, to take advantage of this opportunity. I know how lucky I am to have the chance to be in a final with this club.”

Zidane was assistant to Real coach Carlo Ancelotti in the Lisbon final two years ago today.

“When it comes to finals, I only know what it feels like as a player and as an assistant,” he said. “I will experience it now as coach with calmness, determination and patience.”

Zidane played five seasons for Real and knew when he took over in January he knew exactly what was expected of him.

“The pressure is always there,” he said. “It’s part of the work and I like it. I have been a player and I had pressure but I have more as a coach. Failure would be not to give our all.”

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2016