Cristiano Ronaldo won’t play for Real Madrid in MLS All-Star Game

Hoping to see Cristiano Ronaldo and one of the best soccer clubs in the world square off against the best the MLS has to offer? Well, there’s bad news. According to Real Madrid’s recently unveiled roster for a series of friendlies here in the United States, the legendary forward will not play with the club when they take on the MLS All-Stars at Soldier Field on August 2.

It’s not surprising that Ronaldo wouldn’t participate in the event. I doubt Real would want to see their prized possession go down with a hamstring injury in a meaningless exhibition and be lost for the entirety of the La Liga campaign. Smart move for CR7, but a disappointing one for fans stateside that wanted to see him up close and personal. One rumor I did hear is that Ronaldo saw the MLS lineup and was too afraid to face them, but I can neither confirm or deny that. (Actually, his tax fraud trial on the 31st might have something to do with it, too.)

Real will be bringing some notable names like Gareth Bale along with them, so it’s not entirely lost. But we can already envision Miguel Almiron making one of his dazzling runs through the Real defense, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time goal against to lift the MLS All-Stars to victory and passing the story of how he nutmegged Dani Carvajal into oblivion down to future generations. Who needs that Ronaldo guy, anyway?