- Cristiano Ronaldo was ruled out of Portugal’s friendly matches following injury concerns and recovery plans
- The decision was made after discussions between Al Nassr and Portugal’s coaching staff to avoid further risk
- Ronaldo missed fixtures against the United States men's national soccer team and Mexico national football team as Portugal prepared for the FIFA World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Portugal’s upcoming international friendlies after being ruled out due to injury concerns, in a move aimed at ensuring his full recovery ahead of more competitive fixtures.
The decision, confirmed on Friday by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, follows discussions between Ronaldo’s club, Al Nassr, and the Portugal national football team coaching staff. Both parties reportedly agreed that the veteran forward should focus on rehabilitation rather than risk aggravating the injury.
“Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of the Portugal squad for the friendly games next week as he’s still injured. Priority to full recovery after discussions between Al Nassr and Portugal backroom staff,” Romano stated.
Ronaldo is currently undergoing treatment and recovery, with medical teams opting for a cautious approach. His absence is widely viewed as a preventive measure to avoid further complications, particularly given the importance of upcoming international competitions.
The 39-year-old forward has been in impressive form this season, scoring 22 goals across all competitions for Al Nassr, underlining his continued importance at both club and international levels.
Portugal are scheduled to face the United States men's national soccer team and Mexico national football team in friendly matches on 28 and 31 March respectively. The fixtures are part of their preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Ronaldo’s absence will be felt by the squad, not only for his goal-scoring ability but also for his leadership and experience. However, team officials remain confident that the precautionary decision will benefit both the player and the national side in the long term.
As Portugal continue their build-up to the World Cup, attention will now turn to Ronaldo’s recovery timeline and his potential return to action in the coming months.