Cristiano Ronaldo Injury Forces 41-Year-Old Captain Out of Portugal Friendlies

A right hamstring injury sustained on Feb. 28 has sidelined Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal’s upcoming matches against Mexico and the United States.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has been excluded from the 27-man squad for upcoming pre-FIFA World Cup friendlies due to a right hamstring injury. The 41-year-old Al Nassr forward sustained the muscular issue during a Saudi Pro League fixture on Feb. 28. Despite undergoing two weeks of specialized treatment in Madrid, the all-time leading men’s international scorer remains unavailable for selection. Consequently, he will miss the March 28 clash against Mexico at the renovated Azteca stadium and the March 31 fixture against the United States at Atlanta’s Georgia venue.

Coach Roberto Martínez confirmed the Cristiano Ronaldo injury status on Friday, noting that the player is expected to return to action within one to two weeks. The manager emphasized that the veteran striker is not at risk of missing his record sixth World Cup appearance. Ronaldo enters this international break having missed Portugal’s previous outing on Nov. 16—a 9-1 qualifying victory over Armenia—due to a suspension. Before this physical setback, the attacker had recorded 143 career international goals, maintaining his status as the most prolific scorer in the history of the men's game.

Roster Additions and Premier League Presence

In Ronaldo's absence, Martínez has called up West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes for the first time. The newcomer is one of six Premier League representatives included in the traveling party. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes headlines the English-based contingent, arriving with a statistical profile of seven goals and 16 assists across 27 league appearances this season. Other Premier League players selected include Diogo Dalot of Manchester United, Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes, Chelsea’s Pedro Neto, and Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper José Sá.

Real Sociedad winger Gonçalo Guedes makes a significant return to the national setup, marking his first inclusion since 2022. Guedes has scored nine goals this season, a tally that Martínez cited as justification for his recall. The coach described Guedes as a game-changing striker with a versatile profile that differs from the primary center-forward options. Martínez clarified that the central attacking roles for the World Cup are currently designated for Ronaldo and PSG’s Gonçalo Ramos, but Guedes provides a necessary tactical alternative during this preparation phase.

Tactical Depth and Squad Composition

The defensive unit for the Mexico and USA friendlies features FC Porto’s Diogo Costa and Sporting CP’s Rui Silva in goal alongside Sá. The backline consists of Diogo Dalot, João Cancelo of FC Barcelona, and PSG’s Nuno Mendes. Additional defensive cover includes Gonçalo Inacio, Villarreal’s Renato Veiga, and the SL Benfica duo of António Silva and Tomás Araújo. These players will be tasked with stabilizing a side that recently dominated Armenia in a ten-goal qualifying finale.

Midfield options remain robust despite the Cristiano Ronaldo injury. Alongside Bruno Fernandes and Mateus Fernandes, the squad includes Al Hilal’s Rúben Neves and Mallorca’s Samú Costa. The French league is well-represented by PSG pair João Neves and Vitinha, while FC Porto’s Rodrigo Mora provides further depth. This group will support an attacking rotation that features Al Nassr’s João Félix, SC Braga’s Ricardo Horta, and Sporting CP’s Pedro Gonçalves.

Forward Line and World Cup Preparation

Martínez’s offensive selections for the Atlanta and Mexico City trips include Francisco Trincão, Francisco Conceição of Juventus, and AC Milan’s Rafael Leão. Gonçalo Ramos remains the primary focal point in the box while the captain recovers. The manager reiterated that the current physical data regarding Ronaldo shows he remains in great shape despite the minor muscle injury. The 27-man group was finalized on Friday, focusing on players in excellent form to navigate the high-profile warm-up matches in North America.

The upcoming schedule serves as a vital evaluation period for the fringe players and returning veterans like Guedes. While the absence of the 143-goal leader changes the immediate tactical approach, the coaching staff is prioritizing long-term fitness ahead of the World Cup tournament. Portugal looks to build on their 9-1 qualifying momentum as they transition into these intercontinental friendlies without their most experienced player.