Cristiano Ronaldo has been omitted from Portugal's latest national team selection as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. The 41-year-old forward, who plays for Al-Nassr, has been sidelined since February, missing his club's recent league matches.
Injury Forces Squad Exclusion
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez announced the squad for the upcoming international break, which includes friendlies against Mexico and the United States. Ronaldo was not included due to his ongoing fitness concerns.
Martinez stated, "We have players who are not ready. We have Ruben Dias, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Nelson Semedo, players who are not medically fit."
World Cup Participation Not in Doubt
Despite this setback, Martinez emphasized that Ronaldo's participation in the 2026 World Cup is not endangered. He described the injury as minor and expressed confidence in the player's physical condition.
"No, he's not in danger. It's a minor muscle injury. Everything Cristiano has done physically this season shows that he's in great shape," Martinez added.
Portugal's World Cup Campaign
This squad selection is the penultimate one before the World Cup, where Portugal has been drawn in a group with Uzbekistan, Colombia, and the winner of an intercontinental playoff. Ronaldo, who has earned 226 caps for Portugal, has participated in five World Cups since his debut in 2006.
The veteran forward has already confirmed that the 2026 tournament will be his final appearance on the international stage.
Expert Analysis on Ronaldo's Role
Former England international Chris Waddle shared his perspective on Ronaldo's potential impact at the World Cup. He suggested that Martinez might consider using Ronaldo as a strategic substitute.
Waddle commented, "For Martinez, he's probably thinking, 'I'd like to start someone else and then bring Ronaldo off the bench, where he could win the game in the last 15-20 minutes.' He's looked after himself, and going to the World Cup, I know he wants to win it, and he wants to finish on a high."
Waddle further noted that while Ronaldo's experience is invaluable, team dynamics might influence his role. "Sometimes you've got to look at the team, and sometimes you may say, 'Look, mate, I'm bringing you off the bench. If I need to, I'm going to bring you off the bench for the last 15-20 minutes because you can change the game quite easily at that stage.'"
He concluded by acknowledging the managerial dilemma, "Who knows what he'll do? But I'm sure some days Martinez would think, 'I don't really want to start him, but I've got no option.'"
Portugal will use the upcoming friendlies to fine-tune their preparations for the World Cup, with Ronaldo expected to rejoin the squad once fully recovered.
