Nose-breaker wasn't a red-card offense - Ronaldo

MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo apologized for breaking Malaga defender Patrick Mtiliga's nose in a La Liga match on Sunday but said he should not have been sent off.

The world's most expensive player scored both goals for Real Madrid in their 2-0 home win, moving them to within five points of leaders Barcelona.

But he picked up a red card in the 70th minute after swinging his arm behind him and catching Mtiliga in the face as he tried to spin away from the Danish defender's clutches.