Real denies Ruud's secret surgery
Monday, March 24, 2008

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster denied media reports Saturday that striker Ruud van Nistelrooy opted for ankle surgery without the club's consent.

Van Nistelrooy traveled to the Netherlands on Wednesday to undergo surgery on his injured right ankle. Madrid's medical staff would not confirm the information on Wednesday, even as the Dutchman was being prepared for the operation.

"We all we knew about it," Schuster said. "It was a decision we all took together. It wasn't easy, but we had to decide."

Now at Fox Soccer Shop Spanish media reports had suggested that Van Nistelrooy decided on surgery to avoid missing the European Championship, which begins June 7.

The 31-year-old Van Nistelrooy is expected to return for Madrid's last four games - including one against second-place FC Barcelona - after six weeks of recuperation. The striker, who has scored 16 goals this season, missed six games in all competitions since injuring himself against Almeria on Feb. 2.

"I spoke with the player and his only preoccupation was how many games he could play for us. The topic of the Euros never emerged once," the German coach said.

Madrid, which plays Valencia on Sunday, holds a seven-point lead over Barcelona in the Spanish league.


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