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 will not be able to take part in those matches.

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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."

Ronaldo has been in Spain as part of his recovery programme. On March 20, he was omitted from Portugal's squad to take on Mexico and the United States.

Cristiano Ronaldo Al Nassr 02062026

How long will Cristiano Ronaldo be out?

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez said Ronaldo would be out for "a week or two" longer when he announced the squad for his team's Mexico and United States games.

Martinez moved to dismiss fears that the problem put Ronaldo's World Cup participation in any sort of jeopardy.

"No, he's not in danger," he said. "It's a minor muscle injury, and we think he can be back in a week or two. Everything Cristiano has done physically this season shows that he's in great shape."

Will Ronaldo play for Portugal vs. USA and Mexico?

Portugal will play Mexico on March 28 and the United States on March 31 without Cristiano Ronaldo.

If Ronaldo had only suffered a grade one injury, there was a good chance of being involved. As it is, Portugal and Al Nassr are not taking any risks.

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Did Ronaldo leave Saudi Arabia after Iran attack?

Before news of his injury was confirmed, rumours emerged that Ronaldo had left 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. 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.

This speculation was initially dismissed, and Ronaldo began rehabilitation from his hamstring injury at Al Nassr's training base in Riyadh. However, coach Jesus later confirmed that the player had indeed travelled to Madrid in order to receive specialist injury treatment.

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