Ronaldo ruled out of Portugal’s game against Gabon following nasty eye injury

Christiano Ronaldo has been forced to withdraw from Portugal’s friendly match against Gabon in Libreville on Wednesday because of a nasty eye injury he suffered in Real Madrid's 2-1 victory at Levante on Sunday night. The football heartthrob, who temporarily lost vision in both of his eyes after getting hit in the face with defender David Navarro’s elbow, will remain in Madrid to recover.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho commented on Ronaldo's injury, saying, "He's dizzy. In the first half he was unable to see properly with that eye, but during the break he couldn't see properly with either."

“So it was impossible for him to continue. When he gets to Madrid he will go to hospital to have the tests he needs," he added.

Christiano Ronaldo received an elbow in the face during Real Madrid's clash with Levante last night, but didn’t let the big gash on his left eye halt his game. The superstar returned to the field to score his team’s opener in the 21st minute, but was taken off at half-time after he complained of loss of vision in both eyes.

Talking to the media after the game, Coach Jose said, “It was a difficult match for everyone. We adapted to the conditions and it was an honest battle between serious people who gave everything in search of a result.”

He continued, “The team had to draw on all its character and strength and we were deserved winners. I had never won here and they are three extremely important points.”

“For all of us who have played football, whether well or badly, it was a party when you played in the rain as a kid and I think that in their way, people like it,” he said, adding, “The more technical side and the referee have more problems, the fans too because it's cold and raining. That's part of football too and you have to adapt.”

Meanwhile, David Navarro said on his team’s website that he did not hurt Christiano Roanldo intentionally. The 32-year-old Levante defender, who has a history of aggressive behavior, explained on the site, "It was an accident, at no time did I try to cause harm to Cristiano Ronaldo.”

"These are things that happen during a game and I regret having wounded him, but I repeat that it was something completely involuntary," he added.

According to the site, Navarro contacted Ronaldo on Monday to ask after his health and wish him a quick recovery.