Cristiano Ronaldo was a notable absentee as Portugal manager Roberto Martinez announced his squad for their pre-FIFA World Cup friendlies on Friday. Portugal faces Mexico on March 28 at Azteca Banorte Stadium, and then the USA on March 31 in Atlanta.
Cristiano Ronaldo is currently recovering from an injury. (AP)
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Ronaldo sustained an injury while playing for Al-Nassr recently. He has been recovering in Madrid. He was expected to be fit soon, but his recovery has reportedly stalled.
But Martinez clarified Ronaldo's situation and revealed that he will be fit for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
"The World Cup is not at risk! He is not at risk. It is a minor muscle injury, and we think he can return in a week or two. Everything Cristiano has done physically during the season shows that he is in great shape," he said.
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Ronaldo suffered a hamstring injury after the Al Fayha game, according to Al Nassr. He was initially recovering in Saudi Arabia, but due to the ongoing Gulf conflict, he and his family reportedly flew to Spain. Ronaldo has been in good form this season and leads the Golden Boot race with 21 goals in the league. Al Nassr are on top of the table, with 67 points from 26 matches.
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Ronaldo suffered a hamstring injury after the Al Fayha game, according to Al Nassr. He was initially recovering in Saudi Arabia, but due to the ongoing Gulf conflict, he and his family reportedly flew to Spain. Ronaldo has been in good form this season and leads the Golden Boot race with 21 goals in the league. Al Nassr are on top of the table, with 67 points from 26 matches.
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He will be key for Portugal at the upcoming World Cup. He has represented his country in eleven major tournaments, and this will be his sixth World Cup. He notably led Portugal to the Euro 2016 title. He also guided them to two UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
Portugal squad -
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Goalkeepers -Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting CP)
Defenders- Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), João Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Antonio Silva (SL Benfica) and Tomas Araujo (SL Benfica);
Midfielders- Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Mateus Fernandes (West Ham), Joao Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) and Rodrigo Mora (FC Porto);
Forwards- Ricardo Horta (SC Braga), Pedro Goncalves (Sporting CP), João Felix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincão (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceicão (Juventus), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad) and Goncalo Ramos (PSG). (
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
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Home/Sports/Football/Cristiano Ronaldo set to recover in time for FIFA World Cup as Portugal head coach gives major injury update
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