Mexico closely following Cristiano Ronaldo situation as excitement grows

Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence is uncertain for Mexico’s upcoming friendly against Portugal, scheduled to reopen the renovated Estadio Ciudad de México on March 28. The Portuguese forward suffered a hamstring injury during a recent Saudi Pro League game with Al Nassr, raising doubts about whether he will travel with his national team.

The injury quickly triggered speculation that the Portuguese star might miss the event. However, Mexican Soccer Federation president Mikel Arriola moved to calm concerns, insisting that both Portugal and Ronaldo are still expected to take part in the highly anticipated match.

Speaking at an event in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Arriola emphasized the close relationship between the two federations and suggested the visit could strengthen ties between their leagues. “The Portuguese Federation is a friendly federation. During that trip we will likely sign a cooperation agreement,” he said. “It’s a league very similar to Liga BBVA MX, and we can share many things.”

He also addressed the uncertainty surrounding Ronaldo’s physical condition, acknowledging that the forward’s recovery will determine whether he appears in the game.

“Unexpected things happen,” Arriola said. “But we are talking about one of the greatest athletes the sport has ever produced – Cristiano Ronaldo. Besides being one of the best athletes in the world, he has enormous pride. I think he also knows that the cathedral of stadiums in the Americas, or even the world, is the Estadio Ciudad de México, so we’re following his recovery process closely and hoping for a positive outcome.”

Cristiano Ronaldo’s hamstring injury raises questions

The concern stems from an injury Ronaldo sustained during Al Nassr’s game against Al Fayha. According to an official statement from the Saudi club, the Portuguese forward was diagnosed with a hamstring issue and has already begun rehabilitation.

“Cristiano Ronaldo has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury following the last game against Al Fayha,” the club said in its statement. “He has started a rehabilitation program and will be evaluated on a daily basis.”

The timeline of that recovery will ultimately determine whether Ronaldo can feature for Portugal in the Mexico friendly.

Rumors about Ronaldo leaving Saudi Arabia dismissed

At the same time, rumors circulated suggesting that Ronaldo had left Saudi Arabia with his family due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. Those claims were quickly rejected by Al Nassr.

The club dismissed the speculation by posting images of Ronaldo training in team gear, signaling that he remains with the squad despite the ongoing regional security concerns.

For Mexico, the friendly against Portugal is expected to be one of the headline events marking the stadium’s reopening ahead of the 2026 World Cup preparations. Whether Ronaldo appears in the game, however, may ultimately depend on how quickly the five-time Ballon d’Or winner recovers from his latest setback.

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