Axel Allag, Media365: published on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Injured with a hamstring tendon since late February with Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo was not included by Roberto Martinez in the list of players called up to face Mexico (on March 28 in Mexico) and the United States (on March 31 in Atlanta) in friendly matches.
Roberto Martinez, by necessity, had to do without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo, still considered indispensable for Portugal. The Seleção will face Mexico on Saturday, March 28, in Mexico, and then the United States on Tuesday, March 31 in Atlanta, for two friendly matches during the upcoming international break without their captain. Since February 28, and an injury to the hamstring tendon during the 24th round match of the Saudi Pro League on the Al Feiha field (1-3), the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been sidelined.
Ronaldo recovered in “one or two weeks”?
No need to worry about the upcoming 2026 World Cup (scheduled from June 11 to July 19) that Cristiano Ronaldo, barring a significant injury in the meantime, should be able to compete in. According to the Portuguese national team coach, Ronaldo’s participation in the World Cup this summer in North America is “not at risk.” The 41-year-old player could be back in “one or two weeks.” Still in his logic of defending his captain and leader against all odds, Roberto Martinez emphasized: “Everything Cristiano has done physically during this season shows that there is no physical problem.” As a reminder, during the next global tournament, Portugal will be in Group K with Colombia and Uzbekistan. The other team in this group will come from a play-off, opening the way for the qualification of New Caledonia, Jamaica, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Portugal’s list for friendly matches against Mexico and the United States :
– Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting CP)
– Defenders: Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), João Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), António Silva (SL Benfica), and Tomás Araújo (SL Benfica).
– Midfielders: Rúben Neves (Al-Hilal), Samú Costa (Mallorca), Mateus Fernandes (West Ham), João Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), and Rodrigo Mora (FC Porto).
– Forwards: Ricardo Horta (SC Braga), Pedro Gonçalves (Sporting CP), João Félix (Al-Nassr), Francisco Trincão (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), and Gonçalo Ramos (PSG).
