Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo had to watch from the dugout as Real Madrid dropped points in the La Liga for the second time in four days on Saturday. With Real leading 2-1, Ronaldo was replaced by Lucas Vazquez in the 72nd minute during his side’s draw against Las Palmas.
A visibly unhappy Ronaldo could only look on from the sidelines as Las Palmas snatched a 2-2 draw with an 85th-minute equaliser by substitute Sergio Araujo.
Coach Zinedine Zidane seemed to have one eye on Madrid's mid-week Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund away in Germany and defended his decision to substitute the 3-time Ballon D'Or winner.
"I have to take him off sometimes and tonight we did it," said Zidane. "It is obvious he always wants to stay on the field, but I have to think about my players and particularly Cristiano."
Ronaldo had a forgettable night in front of goal as he missed an easy chance. "We have a game on Tuesday and I thought it was the time to take him off, 20 minutes from the end, thinking about Tuesday," added Zidane.
Ronaldo has completed 90 minutes just twice this season. He was replaced early on his return from a knee injury against Osasuna and missed last weekend's win at Espanyol due to illness.
Real have kept just two clean sheets in their last seven games and their lead at the top was cut to a single point as Barcelona put five goals past 10-man Sporting Gijon.