Real Madrid vow not to hurry Ronaldo debut

Real Madrid will not risk the health of their newly-signed Brazilian star Ronaldo by hurrying his debut appearance with the Spanish giants, the club's deputy sporting director Emilio Butragueno said Wednesday.

The striker suffered a muscle injury in his left thigh which occured during the weeks leading up to his controversial 45 million euro move from Italian side Inter Milan to the European champions.

"We will give him the necessary time to recuperate and the date for his return will be in line with his recovery, it's the medical team who will tell us," said Butragueno.

"Of course we hope that it will be as quick as possible but not before being assured that he has the physical level required for top competition," he added.

Ronaldo, who scored both goals in Brazil's 2-0 win over Germany in the World Cup final two months ago, has said that he will be fit in three weeks times.

But Butragueno feels that the player is being over optimistic pointing out that Ronaldo has not played regularly since the World Cup.

Wednesday in Madrid the Brazilian underwent two hours of massage and specially devised exercise routines in the gym and swimming pool as he battles for fitness.