Zidane rules Ronaldo out of Rayo Vallecano match due to injury

Cristiano Ronaldo will not feature in Real Madrid's match Saturday against Rayo Vallecano, after manager Zinedine Zidane ruled the Portuguese superstar out of the contest because of a thigh strain.

The news follows a statement from the team that said Ronaldo was officially diagnosed with a muscle strain in his right thigh.

Because the club did not provide a timeline for his return, his status for Tuesday's match in the first-leg clash against Manchester City in the Champions League semi-finals remains unknown.

Although Ronaldo played down the seriousness of the injury in a social media post, Zidane and Real's medical staff are taking a cautious approach to ensure he's available for the team's trip to the Etihad Stadium.

"He won't be with us tomorrow. He's had an ultrasound and an MRI scan," Zidane told reporters. "It's nothing serious, but he's got a strain and he can't play tomorrow.

"We'll monitor it in the coming days. He always wants to play. If you play him tomorrow, it could work out, but he's staying at home and we'll see on Tuesday."

Zidane also rejected the notion that Ronaldo has been overworked this season, insisting that the former Ballon d'Or winner is happy with the demands in Madrid.

"I don't think he's burnt out," Zidane said. "He looks good to me. It's a story and it can happen in a move at the last moment, or not ... but I think he's fine playing in every game.

"For a manager it's great to have a player like that, who always wants to play. I look at the positives, at what Cristiano can bring to the team."

Ronaldo sustained the injury during Madrid's win over Villarreal on Wednesday.