Cristiano Ronaldo will not feature in Portugal’s upcoming international friendly against Mexico national football team, with the veteran forward ruled out ahead of the highly anticipated clash.
Portugal gear up for key friendly
Portugal national football team travel to the iconic Estadio Azteca as part of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match marks their first outing since successfully navigating the UEFA World Cup qualifiers, where they topped their group to secure qualification.
However, the spotlight remains firmly on Ronaldo’s absence, a significant talking point heading into the fixture.
Why Cristiano Ronaldo is not playing
Despite being part of Portugal’s squad during the recent qualifiers against Ireland and Armenia, Cristiano Ronaldo will not be involved in tonight’s game. The star forward was not included in the squad for the current set of international friendlies.
His absence is primarily due to a hamstring injury sustained on February 28, 2026, while playing for Al Nassr in a league clash against Al Fayha.
The injury has sidelined him temporarily, with the player currently focused on recovery and rehabilitation.
Recent appearances and suspension clarified
Ronaldo’s last appearance for Portugal came in a 2-0 defeat against Republic of Ireland national football team, where he was sent off. That red card forced him to miss the subsequent match against Armenia national football team, which Portugal won convincingly.
However, the suspension does not impact his availability for this fixture. Instead, his omission is solely down to fitness concerns and squad selection decisions.
When will Ronaldo return?
The Portuguese icon is expected to return to action in the coming weeks, having already shared updates of his recovery process. While fans will miss his presence tonight, Portugal will look to test their squad depth against a competitive Mexican side.
As preparations for the World Cup intensify, managing Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness will remain a priority for the national team setup.