Real ban Ronaldo from watching national side

MADRID: Real Madrid have forbidden their Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo from going to watch Wednesday's final World Cup qualifier against Malta, Spanish media reported on Monday.

Ronaldo is out of the game - which Portugal need to win to ensure their place in the playoffs - with an ankle injury and Real are reported to have insisted he does not travel to Guimaraes, according to TVE television and sports daily AS.

"The important thing is recuperating perfectly to get over the problem," the player said on Real's website - though he did earlier ask for permission to make the trip.