Cristiano Ronaldo failed a late fitness test and was forced out of Real Madrid's matchday squad for the Champions League semifinal first leg at Manchester City, which finished 0-0.
Ronaldo, 31, missed Saturday's 3-2 La Liga victory at Rayo Vallecano with a muscle problem but travelled with the Madrid squad to Manchester for Tuesday's game.
Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said on Monday that the Portugal captain was "100 percent" for the City clash, however, he was not been deemed fit enough to participate at all, failing to even make the bench.
"It is still sensitive, I am going to wait," Ronaldo told Antena 3 from the pitch before the game. "If it was a final, I would be playing."
Madrid director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno told BeIN Sports: "The issues which Cristiano had have not cleared up. It's better that he does not play."
Ahí tenéis al gran ausente: @cristiano #UCL pic.twitter.com/RxOqy8vK1J
- Manu Sainz (@Manu_Sainz) April 26, 2016
Karim Benzema had also been a doubt before the game, after he limped off before halftime against Rayo with an apparent hamstring problem. But the France international was in the Madrid starting XI against Man City.
Lucas Vazquez started, taking the place of Jese Rodriguez who had deputised for Ronaldo against Rayo.
Man City were without Yaya Toure, who picked up an injury against Stoke City on Saturday but was unlikely to start the game with Fernando and Fernandinho the preferred pairing.
Man City: Hart, Sagna, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy, Fernando, Fernandinho, Navas, Silva, De Bruyne, Aguero
Real Madrid: Keylor Navas, Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Bale, Lucas Vazquez, Benzema