Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has not been fully fit through the decisive part of the season, according to former Blancos director of football Arrigo Sacchi.
Ronaldo scored both Madrid's goals in their 3-2 on aggregate Champions League semifinal exit against Juventus, but he did not have his expected impact on proceedings -- with his converted penalty being his only shot on target during Wednesday's second leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Speaking on Italian outlet Mediaset in the aftermath of that game in quotes reported by AS, the veteran former Milan and Italy coach questioned Ronaldo's fitness, while praising his competitive spirit.
"For three months now Cristiano Ronaldo has not gone past a player," Sacchi said. "He scores goals, as he is a fighter, but he is not fit."
Ronaldo's fantastic record over the years, and his continuing ability to score at a rate of more than a goal a game, means he has been spared criticism from Blancos fans and pundits in the aftermath of the Juve defeat.
His missed penalty as Madrid drew 2-2 with Valencia the previous weekend to slip-up in the La Liga title race was also not widely commented upon.
Teammates Gareth Bale and Iker Casillas have been receiving most of the scrutiny aimed at the team for a season which looks likely to end without a trophy, the FIFA Club World Cup aside, while coach Carlo Ancelotti could lose his job at the end of the campaign.
Following the Copa del Rey exit to Atletico Madrid in January, Ronaldo admitted in the Bernabeu mixed-zone to playing through pain apparently related to the tendinosis problem which he suffered during 2014, although he denied the issue was affecting his performances.
He has not spoken to reporters at all since announcing a self-imposed media silence following Madrid's struggle to get past Schalke in the Champions League last 16 in early March.
The 31-year-old has however completed the entire 90 minutes in all 21 of Madrid's games in all competitions over the last 14 weeks, while also completing Portugal's Euro 2016 qualifying win over Serbia in mid-March.
In total Ronaldo has scored 52 goals in 45 La Liga and Champions League games this season.
Statistics from whoscored.com show that 14 of these goals have been headers, 12 have been penalties, while just four have been shots from outside the penalty area.
The stats suggest that the 2013 and 2014 Ballon D'Or winner has noticeably changed his game this season, with less 50-yard dribbles or long range goals, as he has become more of a specialist penalty box finisher.