Cristiano Ronaldo suffers hamstring injury, expected to return before 2026 FIFA World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo had to leave the field late in the match on Saturday and was visibly in pain.

Updated on: Mar 5, 2026, 11:36:45 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Cristiano Ronaldo has suffered a hamstring tendon injury, as confirmed by Al Nassr on Tuesday. But it is not a long-term injury, and the Portugal star won't miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to reports, he is expected to be out of action for 2 to 4 weeks and will return before the World Cup begins on June 11. He sustained the injury during his side's 3-1 win over Al Fayha on Saturday.

Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo during a warm up session. (REUTERS)

In a statement, the Saudi Pro League confirmed that Ronaldo "has started a rehabilitation programme and his condition will be assessed day by day".

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Ronaldo had to leave the field late in the match on Saturday and was visibly in pain. It was a frustrating night for him, as he also missed a 12th-minute penalty. In the 81st minute, he signalled to the bench and was substituted by Abdullah Al-Hamdan.

Ronaldo is currently Al Nassr's top goalscorer with 21 goals to his name this season. Al Nassr are set to face Neom SC and Kl Khaleej in March. Meanwhile, Portugal has international friendlies against Mexico and the USA lined up for later this month, which Ronaldo is expected to miss.

Recently, Ronaldo bought a stake in the Spanish second-division club Almeria. In a statement, he said, "It has been a long-time ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch. UD Almería is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth."

Almeria has been controlled by Saudi owners for over six years. Mohamed Al-Khereiji became the new owner and president of the club in the summer of 2025 when he bought it from Turki Al Alsheikh.

“We are very pleased that Cristiano has chosen our club to invest in,” Al-Khereiji said in the statement.

“He knows the Spanish leagues very well and he understands the potential of what we are building here both in terms of the team and the academy.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
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.Read More

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