Albiol: Do not crucify David Navarro

The Real Madrid man has stood up for the 32-year-old, who has come under the spotlight after injuring Cristiano Ronaldo in Levante's defeat to Los Blancos

Raul Albiol has urged the media not to "crucify" David Navarro.

The 32-year-old has been at the centre of controversy, following an incident in Levante's 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, in which the defender injured Cristiano Ronaldo with a stray elbow.

But, though many have accused the former Valencia man of intentionally striking the Portuguese, Navarro has continued to protest his innocence and Albiol believes it is time to move on.

"I have a good relationship with David," Albiol told Movistar. "Regardless, what happens on the field stays there.

"Whether it was deliberate or not, we can't crucify a player for an action. It was an action and you have to forget."

Blancos' victory left the reigning champions in third place in La Liga and Albiol believes his side should focus on the positive aspects of the match.

"The important thing is that we won, and that [Ronaldo] is okay."