Audio By Carbonatix
Cristiano Ronaldo missed training on Friday and will sit out Saturday’s friendly against Greece after complaining of muscular pain in his left thigh, coach Paulo Bento said on Friday.
Bento did not think there was any risk of Ronaldo missing Portugal’s opening
World Cup Group G match against Germany, but added that he had to “consider every scenario.”
Ronaldo joined the Portugal squad on Thursday along with Real Madrid team mates Pepé and Fabio Coentrao and has yet to leave the team hotel in Obidos.
Portugal said in a statement he spent Friday doing rehabilitation work in the hotel because of pain in his left thigh.
“He will be with us but he will not compete,” Bento told reporters, adding that Pepé would also be rested. Bento was asked if there was any risk of Ronaldo missing the Germany match in Salvador on June 16th.
“I don’t think so but I have to consider every scenario,” he said. “What I don’t want to do is put any sort of pressure on a player that causes them to compete when they are not in a the right state to do so. “We’re not setting any deadlines.”
“The player’s well-being comes first. I want him to be in the best possible form without running any risks. We must have a team that compete with the players who are usually the first choices and can compete with players who maybe aren’t among the first choices.”
Ronaldo struggled with minor injuries during the closing weeks of Real Madrid’s season before playing 120 minutes in the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid last Saturday and scoring the final goal in their 4-1 win with a penalty.
Bento dismissed the suggestion that Ronaldo’s presence put Portugal among the World Cup favourites.
“The fact that we have the best player in the way doesn’t make it an obligation for us to be world champions,” he said. “Our first target is to get to the round of 16.”
Ghana and United States are Portugal’s other group-stage opponents.
Latest Stories
-
GPL 2026/27: Hearts of Oak victory ‘helpful’ ahead of Kotoko game – Karela United coach
2 minutes -
Mahama explains Ghana’s rejection of US health compact over medical records, FDA concerns
10 minutes -
Suspect in murder of phone dealer allegedly sold his iPhone 12 for GH¢100
12 minutes -
Sarkodie, Omar Sterling, Medikal, others named in Lawyer Bobby Banson’s Greatest Ghanaian Rappers list
13 minutes -
Private cars, taxis, trotros, okadas barred from Ayalolo lanes during peak hours
15 minutes -
Teacher unions reject government plea, vow to stay home until salaries reflect on payslips
28 minutes -
Passengers decry non-uniform charges after 8% transport fare increase
35 minutes -
IDP Foundation partners with Opportunity International to expand the Rising Schools Program to Northern Ghana
36 minutes -
We Should Say No to Floating Nuclear Reactors, and Yes to Patience
43 minutes -
33-year-old phone dealer murder investigation reveals fight, burnt body and sale of iPhone 12
44 minutes -
You can’t build a winning team if you change every call-up – Carlos Quieroz
49 minutes -
Teachers’ strike: All outstanding issues to be addressed at meeting – Education Ministry assures
50 minutes -
AFCON 2027Q: ‘I was not happy that Ghana lost to Côte d’Ivoire’ – Carlos Queiroz
58 minutes -
GPL Matchweek: Aduana’s Osei Kufuor, 8 others win TV sets as NASCO Men of the Match
59 minutes -
Ghana urged to harness AI to transform tourism
1 hour