Cristiano Ronaldo injury update: Latest on Portugal star's hamstring issue ahead of USA, Mexico friendly games

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Cristiano Ronaldo is now within 100 days of his sixth career World Cup getting underway.

The 41-year-old forward will bid for glory with Portugal as he continues to chip away at the landmark of 1,000 career goals at Al Nassr. 

Ronaldo's status as international football's all-time leading scorer has long been secured.

Portugal undertake their final preparations for the tournament with a pair of March friendlies in the United States against co-hosts Mexico and the USA. 

However, Ronaldo's participation in those games is now in doubt.

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What is Cristiano Ronaldo's injury?

Ronaldo has suffered a hamstring injury and is currently undergoing his recovery.

He was substituted during the 81st minute of Al Nassr's 3-1 Saudi Pro League win at Al Fayha on Saturday, February 28.

A statement released by the club read, "Cristiano Ronaldo has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury after the last game against Al Fayha.

"He started a rehabilitation program and will be under evaluation day by day."

Cristiano Ronaldo Al Nassr 02062026

How long will Cristiano Ronaldo be out?

It is not yet clear how long Ronaldo will be on the sidelines for.

This will depend on the severity of his hamstring injury.  A grade one hamstring injury is a mild muscle strain or pull that should take between one to three weeks to heal. 

A grade two injury is when there is a partial tear to the muscle fibres. Players suffering from this are looking at a four-to-eight-week absence.

A grade three hamstring injury is a complete tear of the muscle that typically requires surgery and will take months to heal.

The initial reporting around Ronaldo's injury suggests he is not dealing with the severity of a grade three injury.

Will Ronaldo play for Portugal vs. USA and Mexico?

Portugal play Mexico on March 28 and the United States on March 31.

If Ronaldo has only suffered a grade one injury, he has a good chance of being involved. If the injury is more severe, he will probably miss out.

Even if he has returned to fitness, Al Nassr and Portugal might decide between them not to risk his fitness after a recent injury.

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Did Ronaldo leave Saudi Arabia after Iran attack?

Before news of his injury was confirmed, rumours emerged that Ronaldo had fled Saudi Arabia for Madrid in his private jet.

The reason for this was presumed to be safety fears amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East following the U.S .and Israeli bombing of Iran.

However, this speculation has been dismissed and Ronaldo will undergo rehabilitation from his hamstring injury at Al Nassr's training base in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia's diplomatic quarter is in Riyadh and the U.S. embassy was the subject of an Iranian drone strike on the fourth day of the war.

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