There has been some star power missing recently from two of the top clubs in the world, as Real Madrid and Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been out with injuries, but as time passes, one is ready to return and the other is getting close.
According to Reuters, Ronaldo is ready to return and the star will be back for Real Madrid when the team plays FC Copenhagen and Messi will be ready to return on schedule in 2014 after missing time with an injury. Cristiano Ronaldo has recovered from a muscle strain and is ready to return to action, the Real Madrid and Portugal forward said on Monday.
Ronaldo damaged a hamstring in Real's La Liga match at Almeria on November 23 and missed last week's Champions League win over Galatasaray and Saturday's La Liga success against Real Valladolid.
Lionel Messi began the second phase of recovery from the injury that has sidelined the Barcelona forward until next month with a physiotherapy session at Argentina's training complex on Monday.
The Argentina captain, who suffered a thigh strain playing for Barca last month, was also seen doing a short, light stint with the ball in a video broadcast by TyC Sports.
Messi, winner of four consecutive FIFA Ballon d'Or awards for world player of the year, came home to Argentina at the weekend and will stay until January 2 when he returns to Barcelona.
"I no longer have an injury," Ronaldo said at an awards ceremony in Madrid.
"I have been fine for a couple of days," added the 28-year-old, who has been on scintillating form this season.
"We preferred not to push things against Valladolid but I will be there for the next game for sure."
Ronaldo netted 14 goals in his last seven appearances for club and country before his injury and is one of the favorites to scoop the FIFA Ballon d'Or when the footballer of the year award is announced next month.
The former Manchester United man was the last player to win in 2008 before Barcelona's Argentine forward Lionel Messi took the next four. Having helped Argentina secure a World Cup place with a 5-2 win in Paraguay in September, Messi has since missed all four of their matches, two qualifiers and two friendlies, due to injury.
"I am on good form," Ronaldo said. "It's possible that it is the best start to the season of my career but the past few years have also been very good."
Real's next match is a King's Cup last 32, first leg at third-tier Olimpic de Xativa on Saturday and they play at FC Copenhagen in the Champions League the following Tuesday.
The nine-times European champions are already through to the last 16 as Group B winners.
(Reuters)
