Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo rules himself out of Super Cup final

CRISTIANO RONALDO’S hopes of returning from injury to play in Real Madrid’s Super Cup clash against Sevilla have been dashed.

The Portugal captain was forced off in the first half of their Euro 2016 extra-time victory over France following a challenge from Dimitri Payet.

Madrid teammate Marcelo spoke how he was “hopeful” that the three-time Ballon d’Or winner would make a return to the side ahead of the Super Cup on August 9 but Ronaldo has quashed any speculation of a dramatic recovery.

“I am completely ruled out for the European Super Cup on the 9th because I aim to be back for the 10th.” he told Spanish press.

Ronaldo, who had an airport named after him in his hometown of Madeira, is expected to miss all of Madrid’s pre-season and could even be out for the first two matches of the season.

Zinedine Zidane will also be reluctant to rush back the 31-year-old who had a gruelling summer with his national side.

Ronaldo was recently pictured in Ibiza donning a pair of David Hasselhoff-esque red shorts without a knee brace but is reportedly spending every day of his break working with a personal trainer to speed up his recovery process.