Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese forward, has been officially ruled out of Portugal's upcoming pre-World Cup friendly matches against Mexico and the United States. The 41-year-old star sustained a hamstring injury on 28 February while playing for his club, Al-Nassr, which has forced him to miss these crucial warm-up fixtures.
Injury Details and Recovery Timeline
Portugal's head coach, Roberto Martínez, confirmed Ronaldo's omission from the squad during a recent press conference. Martínez emphasized that while Ronaldo will be absent for the friendlies scheduled on 28 March and 1 April, his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is not at risk. The coach expressed confidence in Ronaldo's recovery, noting that the player is expected to return to action within one to two weeks.
Martínez's Assurance on Ronaldo's Fitness
Martínez highlighted Ronaldo's excellent physical condition throughout the current season, which he believes will facilitate a swift recovery. "Cristiano has maintained top form, and this minor setback should not impact his readiness for the World Cup," Martínez stated. He added that the decision to rest Ronaldo is precautionary, aimed at ensuring he is fully fit for the tournament.
Ronaldo, who holds the record for the most goals in men's international football, will be missed on the pitch during these friendlies. However, the team plans to use this opportunity to test other players and strategies in his absence. Portugal is set to train at a facility in Florida in preparation for the World Cup, where Ronaldo is expected to rejoin the squad once recovered.
This development comes as Portugal fine-tunes its lineup ahead of the global competition, with Martínez focusing on squad depth and injury management. Fans and analysts will closely monitor Ronaldo's progress, but for now, the focus remains on his recovery and the team's preparations without their star player.
