Rafa Benitez has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema will both miss Tuesday’s Audi Cup opener against Tottenham Hotspur through injury.
The Portuguese took a knock to his back in Real Madrid’s most recent training session, while the striker strained his right thigh, rendering the pair out of Los Blancos’ semi-final with the Premier League club in Munich.
“Cristiano Ronaldo and [Karim] Benzema are in some discomfort,” the Coach said at a Press conference.
“We didn’t want to risk them because the most important thing is their health.
“The rest of the squad are available, except [Fabio] Coentrao, who will be out for some time.
“I see no reason why Benzema would leave. I’m sure he’ll stay. I’m very happy with him.
“Real Madrid have signed some players [this summer] and we have a great team.
“We have to work hard in order to win as many trophies as possible.
“Gareth Bale is a great player for us and I know he’s happy here. I won’t talk about transfers, he’ll have a good season with us.
“The first impressions that I have [of the club] are excellent. I have a great team, great players and I’m delighted.
“From the first moment, [my staff and I] have seen the players’ desire to win trophies.
“For us, this tournament is important. It’s a great opportunity to show our quality against other big teams.
“[On Madrid’s reported interest in Arturo Vidal], he’s a great player but not ours, so I won’t talk about what might or might not have happened.
“[On David de Gea], we have three very good goalkeepers already here. I’ll only speak of them and no-one else.”
