Ronaldo To Risk Champions League Final To Beat Luis Suarez Record

Cristiano Ronaldo is willing to risk his participation in the Champions League final on 24 May to beat Luis Suarez to the Golden Boot - by playing the last La Liga game on Saturday.

Even though Real Madrid have already lost the title and Ronaldo has been sidelined by injury for the last 10 days, the reigning World Player of the Year is reportedly desperate to play his team's last league game.

The former Manchester United star was forced off after just eight minutes during Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with Real Valladolid on 7 May - after picking up the same injury that saw him miss the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona the month before.

While he missed Real Madrid's latest game against Celta last weekend, Ronaldo is going to return to action against Espanyol on Saturday – just seven days before the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed his intention in the press conference ahead of the game. "Ronaldo is fine. He has no problem and he is hoing to play."

Should the Portuguese score against Espanyol, he will be guaranteed the Golden Boot ahead of Luis Suarez. Both have scored 31 league goals this season, but Suarez's season is already complete.

Suarez recently expressed his desire to pip Ronaldo to the Balon D'Or, saying "it wasn't my objective at the beginning of the season and then you start scoring more goals, so now when Real play I say, 'I hope Cristiano doesn't score!'"