Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo blasted his treatment by the Spanish Football Federation as “persecution” after his appeal against a five-game ban was rejected on Wednesday.
The World Player of the Year missed the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona, which Real won, and Real’s first four games of the season in La Liga.
“Impossible to be immune to this situation, 5 games!!” Ronaldo posted to his 108 million followers on Instagram.
“It seems to me exaggerated and ridiculous, this is called persecution!
“Thanks to my teammates for the support and the fans!!!”
The Portuguese captain was controversially sent off as Madrid won the first leg of the Super Cup 3-1 on Sunday at the Camp Nou.
Ronaldo had come off the bench to fire Real into a 2-1 lead but was booked for removing his shirt in celebration and then saw a second yellow card when referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea adjudged he had dived trying to win a penalty eight minutes from time.
After being shown the 10th red card of his career, Ronaldo then lightly pushed the referee.
On Monday, the Spanish Federation (RFEF) issued Ronaldo with an automatic one-game ban for the red card plus an extra four-match suspension for the push.
Real boss Zinedine Zidane has also expressed his anger at what he believes is an excessive punishment.
“When you look at everything that happened, to think Cristiano won’t play five games with us... it is infuriating,” Zidane said on Tuesday.
Ronaldo will be absent when Real begin their defence of La Liga on Sunday at Deportivo la Coruna as well as for home games against Valencia and Levante and a trip to Real Sociedad.
Ronaldo will, though, be free to play when Real begin their Champions League campaign on September 12 or 13.
On the field, Real shrugged off the absence of their superstar to cruise past rivals Barcelona 2-0 in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup to cap a 5-1 aggregate win.
Ronaldo’s replacement Marco Asensio enhanced his reputation as one of world football’s rising stars as he smashed Real into the lead after just four minutes.
Karim Benzema then deservedly doubled Real’s lead before half-time.
Barca responded with a more spirited second-half showing and were unfortunate not to at least pull a goal back as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez hit the woodwork.
Victory continues Real’s run of success under Zinedine Zidane with the European champions now having lifted seven trophies in the 20 months since the Frenchman took charge.
Zidane even had the luxury of leaving first team regulars Gareth Bale, Isco and Casemiro on the bench as Real’s strength in depth was demonstrated in a dominant first 45 minutes.
Asensio had already shown the threat he poses with a dangerous run and cross that saw Luka Modric’s goalbound effort blocked by Samuel Umtiti before he found the net himself.
Just as in the first leg, the 21-year-old sent an unstoppable left-footed shot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen into the top corner from outside the box.
Worst possible start
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has suffered the worst possible start to his reign with back-to-back defeats against the Catalans’ fiercest rivals and the visitors only briefly threatened to mount a comeback after conceding.
Suarez volleyed over before Keylor Navas rushed from his goal to block from Messi.
However, shorn of Neymar after his world record breaking transfer to Paris Saint-Germain and injured captain Andres Iniesta, Barca’s star front two lacked the service needed to make a meaningful impact.
Indeed, the scoreline could have been a lot more embarrassing for Barca as Marcelo dragged wide before Lucas Vazquez hit the post with a glorious chance.
The hosts finally doubled their lead six minutes before the break when Benzema nipped in front of Umtiti and slotted past Ter Stegen.
An 11:00 pm kick-off time meant half-time saw Wednesday turn to Thursday and Barca did at least salvage some pride in the early morning with an improved second-half display.
Messi was desperately unlucky not to net a consolation goal as he hit the underside of the bar from a narrow angle.
The visitors’ night was summed up when Suarez headed against the post with the goal gaping after Navas had parried Messi’s driven shot into his path.
And there could be even worse news to come for Barca as Suarez ended the game visibly suffering from a knee injury just four days ahead of their La Liga opener against Real Betis on Sunday.
