Cristiano Ronaldo: Absent Real Madrid striker underestimates Man City, saying 'If it was the final I would have played'

The forward has been nursing a thigh strain and missed Real's match at the weekend too

Cristiano Ronaldo on his phone before the start of the match (2016 Getty Images)

This is the moment Cristiano Ronaldo let everyone know he would not be playing for Real Madrid tonight against Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final first leg.

Ronaldo, who has scored 47 goals for Real in all competitions this season, gave a thumbs down gesture as he walked out onto the Etihad Stadium pitch before kick off.

The 31-year-old had failed a fitness test before kick-off, but has said that if it was the final he would have played. So is the forward underestimating City?

"I will wait for the next game," Ronaldo was quoted as telling reporters before the game. "If tonight was a final I would've still played."

HOW IS RONALDO WATCHING THE GAME? SEE BELOW...

The Portuguese missed the weekend league win at Rayo Vallecano with a thigh injury but had been expected to return for tonight’s match at the Etihad, a ground where he has scored and been shown a red card while wearing a Manchester United jersey.

Ronaldo has scored 16 goals in this season’s competition - as well as being the all-time top scorer in the European Cup - and is one away from equalling the record - which he set - of 17 goals by a single player in a single Champions League season.