"You have to remember that he injured himself again playing for Portugal and so he's a long way from being a player who lacks commitment," he said.
"Perhaps it's an excess of commitment (that) has put us in this situation. Making the same mistake again would be a great deal more serious."
Valdano added that Real Madrid would be sending all the information on the injury to Portugal's doctors on Monday.
Portugal, World Cup semi-finalists in 2006, play Bosnia in Lisbon and then Zenica four days later, with the winners qualifying for the 2010 finals in South Africa.
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