Cristiano Ronaldo: Real Madrid forward watches himself while sitting on sidelines during Manchester City match

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

Find out moreClose

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Cristiano Ronaldo. Even when he did not play he was still the centre of attention.

The Real Madrid forward missed Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final first leg clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium with a thigh strain, and was pictured in his seat down in the dugout.

The match ended 0-0 in a goalless draw.

The Portuguese forward was spotted watching a video of himself, and even reading the team-sheet in his seat (see gallery below) before kick-off.

The 31-year-old had failed a fitness test before kick-off, but said that if it was the final he would have played.

"I will wait for the next game," Ronaldo was quoted as telling reporters before the game. "If tonight was a final I would've still played."

The Portuguese missed the weekend league win at Rayo Vallecano with a thigh injury but had been expected to return for tonight’s match at the Etihad, a ground where he has scored and been shown a red card while wearing a Manchester United jersey.

Ronaldo has scored 16 goals in this season’s competition - as well as being the all-time top scorer in the European Cup - and is one away from equalling the record - which he set - of 17 goals by a single player in a single Champions League season.