Madrid, Nov 6 (DPA) Spanish giants Real Madrid announced that Cristiano Ronaldo will not, after all, need an operation on his battered right ankle.

This decision has been taken after Ronaldo was examined in Amsterdam by Dutch specialist Nicolas Van Dijk, who operated upon the ankle in July 2008.

Ronaldo, the world’s most expensive player, will rest for 15 days then spent 15 more days preparing to return to action.

Madrid sports dailies AS and Marca are already hoping that he will be fit for the Nov 29 clash away to Liga leaders Barcelona.

Ronaldo, 24, originally sprained the ankle playing for Real against Olympique Marseille, Sept 30. He aggravated the injury playing for Portugal against Hungary on October 10, and has not played since.

He will miss Portugal’s World Cup qualifying play-offs against Bosnia, Nov 14 and 18.