Portugal national team manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed that captain Cristiano Ronaldo is progressing through injury rehabilitation and is expected to be match-ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The update clarifies the forward’s current status following his recent absence from international duty.
Ronaldo was excluded from Portugal’s March squad for fixtures against the United States and Mexico after sustaining a muscular issue in early February during Al-Nassr’s 3-1 Saudi Pro League victory over Al-Fayha. Speaking to reporters following Portugal’s win against the United States, Martinez addressed the timeline for the veteran forward’s return to full training.
The manager indicated that Ronaldo’s condition aligns with recent injuries to defenders Ruben Dias and Nelson Semedo. “Cristiano is recovering well, and this is not an issue that should raise doubts about his participation in the World Cup,” Martinez said, according to tracking by TheNassrZone. He emphasized that the rehabilitation process follows standard sports medicine protocols and does not present a long-term complication for tournament availability.
Despite the favorable medical outlook, Martinez maintained that squad selection will follow established evaluation procedures. “He is like any other player, and now we have approximately 60 days to monitor everyone’s condition,” Martinez added. The coaching staff will apply consistent fitness benchmarks and performance metrics to all potential squad members before finalizing the roster.
Ronaldo’s recovery will continue under coordinated observation between Al-Nassr club officials and Portuguese national team medical personnel. As preparations for the 2026 World Cup advance, the coaching staff will track match readiness through upcoming training cycles and competitive fixtures. The official 23-man roster announcement remains scheduled for the standard pre-tournament window, with current fitness levels serving as the primary determinant for selection.
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