Rafa Benitez admits Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-term future at Real Madrid cannot be guaranteed.
Ronaldo, who became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer last month, has raised eyebrows in recent days by confessing he does not know whether he will finish his career with Los Blancos.
In fairness, Ronaldo’s comments are simply a reiteration of his long-held policy – one which is unusually honest in these days of badge-kissing “I love my club” style pronouncements – of refusing to commit himself to a specific career path, regularly noting that unexpected turns of events make predicting the future close to impossible.
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And ahead of Tuesday’s potential Group A-deciding clash with supposed Ronaldo suitors Paris Saint-Germain at the Bernabeu, Benitez has followed a similar line of reasoning by accepting the Portuguese may one day leave the club.
He said: “Nobody knows what’s going to happen long term. But Cristiano is of fundamental importance for us in this game, in the coming games, and I hope he will continue to be for many years.”
Benitez is welcoming back some of his walking wounded with goalkeeper Keylor Navas, defender Sergio Ramos and midfielder James Rodriguez all back in the squad after injury.
But he is still missing forwards Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, giving Jese Rodriguez another chance to impress after a goalscoring display against Las Palmas on Saturday.
The omission of Bale and Benzema underlines Benitez’s policy of refusing to rush back players from injury ahead of schedule.
He added: “They are recovering as planned, but they lack the physical confidence required for such an important and high intensity game as this one.”
Angel Di Maria returns to the Bernabeu for the first time since leaving the club in 2014.
The Argentine, who won the Champions League as a Real player in 2013-14, has been in fine form since joining PSG from Manchester United, scoring four goals and setting up three more in nine games.
Coach Laurent Blanc, who is without the services of injured defender Marquinhos, said: “Angel is a player that has been enjoyed here. He should be ready, focused and have the right attitude.
“It will be a special event for him because he spent several seasons here. This would be a nice for him to realise a good performance.”
Likely line-ups
Real Madrid (4-4-2): Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Isco, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Jese, Ronaldo
PSG (4-3-3): Trapp; van der Wiel, Aurier, Silva, Maxwell; Motta, Verratti, Matuidi; Di Maria, Ibrahimovic, Lavezzi
Stadium: Bernabeu; Kick-off: 23:45; Live tonight on beIN Sports