Portugal FC Faces Challenges Ahead of Friendlies

By Vikram Nair / 27.03.2026

Portugal FC is gearing up for two international friendlies against Mexico on March 28 and the United States on March 31, but the team will be without star player Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been sidelined due to a right hamstring injury.

Ronaldo sustained the injury on February 28 while playing for Al Nassr. His absence is a significant blow to the squad, which has been announced to consist of 27 players for the upcoming matches.

Roberto Martínez, the head coach of Portugal, confirmed that Ronaldo’s recovery is expected within one to two weeks. “It’s a minor muscle injury. We think he can be back in a week or two. Everything Cristiano has done physically this season shows he’s in great shape,” Martínez stated.

Portugal currently holds the sixth position in the UEFA rankings, which allows the nation to have three representatives in the Champions League for the 2027/28 season. This ranking has been bolstered by FC Porto’s recent victory, contributing to a record total of 18,900 UEFA ranking points this season.

In comparison, the previous record for UEFA ranking points was 18,800. This achievement highlights the growing strength of Portuguese football on the international stage.

In other news, Geraldes, a former Portuguese age representative, has joined Seoul E-Land FC, expressing his enthusiasm for the new opportunity. “I’m happy to join a great team called Seoul E-Land. The only goal is to help the team get promoted,” he remarked.

As Portugal prepares for these friendlies, the absence of Ronaldo will undoubtedly be felt. The team’s performance will be closely watched as they aim to maintain their strong standing in international football.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding Ronaldo’s exact timeline for return, but the team remains optimistic about his recovery.