New DelhiDue to a hamstring injury, Cristiano Ronaldo will not be playing for Portugal in the upcoming pre-World Cup friendlies against Mexico and the United States. The 41-year-old is anticipated to return to full fitness within the next week or two. He hasn't played for his Saudi club Al-Nassr since late February. Meanwhile, national team coach Roberto Martinez emphasized that Ronaldo's World Cup spot is still guaranteed despite his current exclusion from the squad.
Martinez stated at a press conference that it was a minor injury and that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner might return "within one or two weeks."The "
"Everything Cristiano has accomplished physically this season demonstrates that he is having a great run and that there are no health issues. Goncalo Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo will play center forward at the World Cup. Martinez continued, "We are searching for a third striker with a different profile.
Notably, Portugal will play Mexico in Mexico City on Saturday, March 28, and then the United States in Atlanta three days later. The forthcoming friendlies, according to Martinez, are a crucial chance to complete tactical plans.
He said, "This is the last chance to try things out because it's the last training camp before the World Cup team is chosen."
Portugal's schedule for the FIFA World Cup 2026Portugal will be in Group K with Colombia and Uzbekistan at the 2026 World Cup, which will be held from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. A playoff will decide the fourth team in the group. New Caledonia, Jamaica, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo could be in this playoff.
In the meantime, Ronaldo's possible sixth World Cup appearance has garnered attention worldwide, particularly as the seasoned player pursues his first FIFA title.
Team:Goalkeepers:Diogo Costa (FC Porto), José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting)
Defensores:Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Tomas Araujo (Benfica)
Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), João Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Antônio Silva (Benfica), Tomás Araújo (Benfica).Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Mateus Fernandes (West Ham), Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Rodrigo Mora (Porto)
Atacantes:Ricardo Horta (Braga), Pedro Gonçalves (Sporting), João Félix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincão (Sporting), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Gonçalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain).
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