An indifferent start to the season for Cristiano Ronaldo became a potentially rancorous one on Saturday, when the Real Madrid star was substituted by his manager Zinedine Zidane during the 2-2 draw with Las Palmas in Gran Canaria.
Ronaldo was not happy with being taken off early, and appeared to stew on the bench as Sergio Araujo, a substitute, secured a draw for upstarts Las Palmas with an 85th-minute goal.
Ronaldo, 31, had to wait for his chance this season, missing Madrid's first two league games with an injury sustained in the final of UEFA Euro 2016.
He has scored twice in four games since his comeback, but failed to get on the scoresheet in Gran Canaria. And Zidane, whose success as Madrid manager has come in part because of his refusal to kowtow to the club's galacticos, suggested Ronaldo should expect to suffer the same fate in future if it benefits the team.
"I know he always wants to play and always wants to stay on the field," Zidane said.
"But I also have to think about the players and for me it was best to rest and think about Tuesday.
"I have to take him off sometimes and tonight we did it. That isn't going to change what we are going to continue to do."
Madrid plays Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday at Signal Iduna Park in Germany.
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