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| Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures during his team's training session Friday at the NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kiev, Ukraine. Photo by Armando Babani/EPA-EFE |
By Alex Butler, UPI
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo accidentally hit a cameraman in the face with a shot Friday during a training session in Kiev, Ukraine.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was ripping attempts at net while participating in a practice with Madrid at Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex. Madrid battles Liverpool in the Champions League final at 2:45 p.m. Saturday on the same field.
Ronaldo dribbled the ball on his right boot before blasting a shot during the sequence. He eyed the attempt as it sailed away from the goal and smacked the cameraman, causing a cut on his face.
Ronaldo initally waved and gave a thumbs up. He would make up for the blunder later when he got closer to the cameraman during another drill. Ronaldo removed his warmup jacket and gave it to one of the ballboys. He instructed the ballboy to deliver the team garb to the cameraman.
The Portuguese superstar watched to ensure that his shirt was properly delivered, before waving one last time. Photos of the man circulated on Twitter after the incident. He had a bandage over his right eye but posed with a smile as he held the souvenir.
Ronaldo has been dealing with an ankle injury over the last few weeks but will start the game for Madrid.
"I see Cristiano Ronaldo as being in good shape," Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane told reporters Friday. "We have our final training session tonight and tomorrow is our last game of the season. He lives and breathes for these kinds of games."
Ronaldo has a Champions League best 15 scores. Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino are in second place with 10 goals each. The Reds' Sadio Mane is in third with nine Champions League goals.
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