Football: Cristiano Ronaldo out of Real Madrid's Man City clash

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo before the UEFA Champions League semi final, first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on April 26, 2016. PHOTO: EPA

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was unexpectedly left out of the squad for his side's Champions League semi-final first leg at Manchester City on Tuesday (April 26).

Ronaldo was declared fit by head coach Zinedine Zidane on Monday, despite having missed Saturday's (April 23) 3-2 win at Rayo Vallecano with a thigh strain, and trained with his team-mates on the eve of the game.

But he was not even included in the squad to face City, with Spanish winger Lucas Vazquez taking his place in the starting XI at the Etihad Stadium.

Ronaldo, currently a goal short of his own record of 17 goals in a single Champions League campaign, appeared on the pitch before the game and made a thumbs-down gesture towards supporters.

Starting line-ups for the Champions League semi-final first leg between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday (1845 GMT kick-off): Manchester City (4-2-3-1) Joe Hart; Bacary Sagna, Vincent Kompany (capt), Nicolas Otamendi, Gael Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Jesus Navas, Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva; Sergio Aguero Coach: Manuel Pellegrini (CHI) Real Madrid (4-3-3) Keylor Navas; Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos (capt), Pepe, Marcelo; Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos; Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Lucas Vazquez Coach: Zinedine Zidane (FRA) Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (TUR)

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