Ronaldo hurts muscle before game vs. Dortmund

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery are in the running for the Ballon d'Or. (AP)

MADRID, Spain — Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo will miss this weekend’s Spanish league match because of a muscle injury, but is expected to be fit for the team’s attempt to pull off a major comeback in the Champions League semifinals.

Assistant coach Aitor Karanka said Friday that Ronaldo "has a muscle problem" but that "we trust he will be with us on Tuesday" when Madrid looks to overturn a 4-1 loss at Borussia Dortmund. He did not give details on the injury.

Ronaldo didn’t train on Friday and was left off Madrid’s squad for Saturday’s league game at crosstown rival Atletico Madrid. Barcelona will clinch the league title if it wins at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday and Madrid loses.

Karanka said Ronaldo had "physical problems" before Wednesday’s defeat at Dortmund. Ronaldo played and scored his team’s only goal.

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