By Anietie anii-bassey
Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Portugal’s upcoming international friendlies against the United States and Mexico after suffering a hamstring injury, casting uncertainty over his fitness just months before the World Cup in North America.
The veteran forward, now 41, has not featured in a match since late February when he was forced off during a Saudi Pro League game while playing for Al-Nassr. In that match against Al-Fayha, Ronaldo limped off the pitch despite his team securing a 3–1 victory. Since then, he has remained sidelined, with medical staff continuing to monitor his recovery.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez confirmed expectations on Friday by omitting Ronaldo from the squad for the upcoming fixtures, signaling that the priority is to ensure the forward’s full recovery rather than risk aggravating the injury.
Portugal is scheduled to face Mexico in Mexico City on March 28 before traveling to the United States to take on United States in Atlanta on April 1. The matches are part of preparations for the upcoming World Cup, which is set to begin in June and will be hosted across North America.
Ronaldo’s absence represents a significant loss for Portugal, not only because of his experience and leadership but also his extraordinary record at the international level. He remains the all-time leading goal scorer in men’s international football, having netted 143 goals for his country over a career spanning more than two decades.
While the injury is not currently believed to be career-threatening, its timing has raised concerns among fans and analysts about whether the forward will be able to regain full fitness in time for the tournament. At 41, recovery periods can be longer, and Portugal’s medical team is expected to take a cautious approach.
In Ronaldo’s absence, Martínez has selected a squad that blends experienced internationals with emerging talent across Europe’s top leagues. In goal, Portugal will rely on Diogo Costa of FC Porto, alongside José Sá from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Rui Silva of Sporting CP.
The defensive lineup includes notable names such as João Cancelo of FC Barcelona and Diogo Dalot from Manchester United, as well as rising talents like António Silva of Benfica.
In midfield, the squad is anchored by experienced figures including Bruno Fernandes and Rúben Neves, complemented by younger players such as Vitinha and João Neves, both of Paris Saint-Germain.
Up front, Portugal will look to attacking options including Rafael Leão of AC Milan, João Félix, and Gonçalo Ramos, also of Paris Saint-Germain, to fill the void left by Ronaldo’s absence.
The upcoming friendlies are seen as crucial opportunities for Martínez to refine tactics and assess squad depth ahead of the World Cup. They also offer fringe players a chance to stake a claim for inclusion in the final tournament roster.
Despite the immediate setback, Portugal remains optimistic that Ronaldo will recover in time to play a role in what could be his final World Cup appearance. His presence, if restored to full fitness, would provide a significant boost to a team aiming to compete at the highest level on football’s biggest stage.
Original article
Comments