Cristiano Ronaldo Excluded from Portugal's Pre-World Cup Friendlies
Portugal's national football team will be without their iconic forward Cristiano Ronaldo for the upcoming friendly matches against Mexico and the United States. The 41-year-old superstar, who plays for Al-Nassr, has been sidelined with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of club action since late February.
Martinez Downplays Injury Concerns
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has moved quickly to reassure fans and media about Ronaldo's condition. "It's a minor injury," Martinez stated emphatically during a press conference. He added that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner could potentially return to action "within one or two weeks."
Martinez further elaborated on Ronaldo's physical condition, saying: "Everything Cristiano has done physically during this season shows that he's going through an excellent spell and that there are no physical problems." The coach made it clear that Ronaldo remains central to Portugal's World Cup plans.
World Cup Striker Plans Revealed
In revealing his selection strategy for the upcoming global tournament, Martinez confirmed: "At the World Cup, the centre-forward position will be for Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos." The coach indicated they are actively seeking "a third striker with a different profile" to complement their attacking options.
Portugal's Final Preparations Before World Cup
Portugal will face Mexico on March 28 in Mexico City, followed by a match against the United States on April 1 in Atlanta. Martinez emphasized the importance of these friendlies, noting: "This is the last chance to experiment, because it's the final training camp before the World Cup squad is named."
World Cup 2026 Group Details
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Portugal has been drawn in Group K alongside Colombia and Uzbekistan. The final team in the group will be determined through playoffs, with New Caledonia, Jamaica, or DR Congo competing for that spot.
Portugal Squad for Friendlies
The complete Portugal squad for the upcoming friendlies includes:
- Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, José Sá, Rui Silva
- Defenders: Matheus Nunes, Diogo Dalot, João Cancelo, Nuno Mendes, Gonçalo Inácio, Renato Veiga, António Silva, Tomás Araújo
- Midfielders: Rúben Neves, Samu Costa, Mateus Fernandes, João Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Rodrigo Mora
- Forwards: Ricardo Horta, Pedro Gonçalves, João Félix, Francisco Trincão, Francisco Conceição, Rafael Leão, Pedro Neto, Gonçalo Guedes, Gonçalo Ramos
Despite Ronaldo's absence, Portugal's squad features considerable depth and talent as they prepare for their final matches before announcing their World Cup roster. The friendlies will provide crucial opportunities for players to stake their claim for inclusion in the tournament squad.
