Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Thursday’s warm-up match against Nigeria due to an upset stomach.
And the Manchester United striker left Portugal on Wednesday, after training for the past two days with the national team.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos said, “Ronaldo suffers from gastritis and did not train today in order to recover and rest.” “It’s a condition that doesn’t help much, because it affects the players a lot, they lose a lot of fluid, they get weak. He won’t be ready for tomorrow, for sure.”
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When asked if the Portugal captain was indeed suffering from a stomach ache or was just an excuse in the wake of the worldwide uproar caused by Ronaldo’s explosive interview, Santos laughed and said: “If it were another player, we wouldn’t question it but yes, he’s injured.” Already with gastritis and not in a state to play.”
In an interview on Sunday, Ronaldo, 37, lashed out at United and said he had no respect for manager Erik ten Hag, leaving his future at Old Trafford uncertain.
He joined the national team on Monday in preparation for his fifth World Cup.
Santos said he respects Ronaldo’s decision and does not think it will affect his national team.
“he is [Ronaldo] “He didn’t have to report the interview to us,” Santos said. “Isn’t he free?” [to make his decisions]?
“What matters to me is what is said in our camp, not what is said abroad. We have to respect his decision.
“We have to respect the interview he gave. He has nothing to do with the national team.
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“It was the player, the man, who decided to do an interview. He’s not talking about the national team; it’s a very personal interview and we have to respect that. I haven’t seen anyone in the national team comment on that. Article.
“In the interview, he talked about his club and the relationship he has with the club. We have to respect it, because we respect the decisions other players make. It has no impact on the national team.”
Ronaldo, the all-time leading international men’s scorer with 117 goals, is in the midst of his toughest season.
He has scored just three goals in 16 games in all competitions and has started in just four Premier League matches.
Asked if he felt compelled to start Ronaldo, Santos said: “I don’t feel any obligations. Nobody does that. All the players here can be starters.”
Sources have told ESPN that Ten Hag has told Manchester United chiefs that Ronaldo should never play for the club again.
It was reported that United on Wednesday Take down a giant mural Contains a picture of Ronaldo at Old Trafford.
The image in question makes up much of the stadium’s exterior.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is under contract with United until June 2023 and has the option to extend it for another year.
The former Real Madrid and Juventus star asked to leave United in the summer in the hope of playing Champions League football but there was no one to get engaged.
