Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 8y

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez to miss Olympics

Real Madrid duo Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez are both set to miss August's Olympic Games football tournament in Brazil.

Portugal captain Ronaldo and Colombia midfielder James are both eligible to be selected as overage players for the tournament in Rio de Janeiro, but the duo will also be representing their countries earlier in the summer, with the former at Euro 2016 in France and the latter at the Copa America Centenario in the United States.

Portugal Olympic team coach Rui Jorge has told Lance that, although the final decision on Ronaldo has yet to be made, he is not making plans around the 31-year-old.

"We do not yet know exactly about the three players over 23, we will wait, but I don't believe Cristiano Ronaldo will be there," he said.

He added: "I don't know. We are not thinking about that. Of course he is one of the two best players in the world. Any club or country could use his contribution."

Colombian FA president Ramon Jesurun indicated to ESPN Deportes that James has already made his decision in conjunction with management.

"James spoke privately with coaches from the Colombia senior team and the decision was taken for him to go to the Copa America," Jesurun said. "It is understandable. It was very difficult for him to go to both tournaments, you must understand that."

It has already been confirmed that Barcelona and Brazil star Neymar will miss the Copa America to take part in the Olympics on home soil.

The Olympic football tournament in Rio is being played between Aug. 3-20, with the Primera Division season due to kick off on Aug. 20. Barca will also face Sevilla in the two-legged Spanish Supercopa, which is due to take place on Aug. 10 and 15.

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