22 March 2026
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez revealed how long Cristiano Ronaldo, the Al-Nassr star, will be sidelined due to injury. Ronaldo has been excluded from the Portuguese national team squad that will face Mexico at the Azteca Stadium on March 28 and then the United States on March 31 in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Martinez reassured fans about Ronaldo's condition, explaining that the injury is not serious and that the player is highly likely to return after the international break.
The Portugal coach said in a press conference: "It's not serious. He has a minor injury, a muscle strain, and we believe he will recover within a week or two."
He added: "It's not a long period. I think everything Cristiano Ronaldo has shown physically this season demonstrates that he is in excellent condition and that he doesn't have any problems in that regard."
Martinez clarified that Ronaldo's "minor" injury does not threaten his participation with the national team in the World Cup finals next summer.
Portugal will compete in the 2026 World Cup, to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, in Group K alongside Colombia and Uzbekistan. The fourth qualifying spot will be decided through a playoff match that could see New Caledonia, Jamaica, or the Democratic Republic of Congo advance.
It is worth noting that Ronaldo suffered a hamstring injury during his team's match against Al-Fayha in the Saudi League on February 28 and is currently in Madrid, Spain, undergoing a regular rehabilitation program.
