Real Madrid boss Capello: Ronaldo no pain in the neck

Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello insists there was nothing suspicious in his decision to pull Ronaldo out of the starting XI for last night's 1-0 defeat of Steaua Bucharest.
 
The Brazilian was expected to start his first game of the season against the Romanians, but in the end didn't enter the field until the final 25 minutes as a second-half substitute.

Capello explained: "The absolute truth is this: he was struck in a challenge with (Alvaro) Mejia in training on Tuesday. He was knocked in the head and had problems. It hurt him."

"Today (yesterday) he did not do anything in training, but exercised with the physio. Soon, after lunch, I asked him if he was hurt and he told me that no, but soon after I made the decision to not put him in the team."

"The truth is that I made a decision at six in the afternoon. I was originally ready to play him from minute one."

Meanwhile, Real president Ramon Calderon said: "I don't want to enter a debate if Ronaldo says he has a pain in his neck. They are questions that the coach and the technical team must answer."