Cristiano Ronaldo Excluded from Portugal's Pre-World Cup Friendlies

Cristiano Ronaldo has been omitted from Portugal's squad for upcoming friendly matches against Mexico and the United States due to a right hamstring injury sustained while playing for Al Nassr on February 28. The 41-year-old forward has been undergoing treatment in Madrid but remains unavailable for the matches scheduled for March 28 at the Azteca Stadium and March 31 in Atlanta, Georgia. Portugal's coach, Roberto Martínez, confirmed that Ronaldo's injury is minor and reassured fans that he is not at risk of missing the World Cup, stating, "It's a minor muscle injury, and we think he can be back in a week or two."

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Ronaldo's absence comes as he has been in impressive form, scoring 22 goals and providing four assists in 26 appearances for Al Nassr this season. His last game in the U.S. was in 2014, and since then, he has faced various controversies, including a reopened sexual assault allegation from 2009, which he has denied. Despite these challenges, Ronaldo remains the all-time leading scorer in men's international football with 143 goals.

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With Ronaldo sidelined, Martínez faces a selection dilemma as he prepares for the friendlies. Gonçalo Ramos is the only recognized striker included in the squad, while players like Pedro Neto and Francisco Trincão may fill in, altering the team's attacking dynamics. The midfield trio of Bruno Fernandes, João Neves, and Vitinha is expected to provide strong support, but questions remain about who can step up in Ronaldo's absence during critical moments.

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Roberto Martínez emphasized the importance of allowing Ronaldo time to recover, stating, "If I had that guarantee [of his fitness], I would have called the player up now." He also highlighted the need for different attacking options in Ronaldo's absence, mentioning the inclusion of Gonçalo Guedes and Ricardo Horta, who have shown strong form in their respective clubs.

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While Ronaldo's exclusion is viewed as precautionary, some critics express concern over the team's reliance on the veteran forward. The absence of a seasoned striker could impact Portugal's performance in the friendlies and raise questions about their depth ahead of the World Cup.

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Portugal will begin its World Cup campaign on June 17 against a yet-to-be-determined opponent from a playoff tournament. The team's performance in the upcoming friendlies will be critical in assessing their readiness for the tournament, especially in light of Ronaldo's recovery timeline.

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• "No, he's not in danger." — Roberto Martínez, Portugal Coach

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• "It's a minor muscle injury, and we think he can be back in a week or two." — Roberto Martínez, Portugal Coach

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• "If I had that guarantee, I would have called the player up now." — Roberto Martínez, Portugal Coach

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• "Guedes is a versatile player... He's a game-changing striker." — Roberto Martínez, Portugal Coach

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