The return of ‘the best player in the world’ Cristiano Ronaldo against APOEL Nicosia is ‘crucial’ for Real Madrid, according to goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
The Costa Rican international believes the 32-year-old’s return to the starting line-up – having missed all three La Liga games due to suspension – will make a crucial difference for Los Blancos in the final third.
“We will have the best player in the world on the pitch and that is crucial," Navas told reporters.
“He always adds so much to our team and for him it is good to be able to play tomorrow, as he has been unavailable for a few.
“But it is also important for us as a team – when he is on the pitch, normally he scores many goals. All games are different, but the motivation and ambition he has will be important for the team.
“In the league we have been unable to win our last two games so this is a nice game, a different competition.
“We know that the journey to trophies is not easy. There are always things we can correct and improve upon – after every game we look at what we did well and what we did not.
“We will keep playing in our style, go out to win each game, we are very confident about that.”
Madrid will be without Marcos Asensio and Karim Benzema for the clash due to injuries.
Real Madrid squad:Keylor Navas, Casilla, Luca; Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo, Theo; Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Isco, Kovacic, Ceballos; Cristiano Ronaldo, Bale, Lucas Vazquez, Mayoral
