Football star Cristiano Ronaldo was not spotted during Portugal training on Wednesday, just two days before their final group stage match against South Korea in Qatar.
When footballer Bruno Fernandes scored for the team, it confirmed Portugal's qualification for the second round of the competition. As a result Portuguese football manager Fernando Santos may look to rest some of his more important star players, reported Daily Mail.
There is no physical issue with Ronaldo, and that the former Manchester United forward is conducting individual training in the gym, suggested Portuguese publication Abola. So, his absence from the training is not thought to be a concern for his country.
The 37-year-old was not the only one to miss out on his country's penultimate practice session before their Group H clash with South Korea Friday. Otavio, Danilo Pereira and Nuno Mendes similarly were also absent. While Otavio is going through recovery work, Pereira and Mendes are still recovering from their own injuries.
Santos’ team has already qualified for the last 16. But it still needs a point in its final group game against South Korea to top the group, according to Eurosport.
The FIFA World Cup match between the two countries will be played Friday at the Education City Stadium at 9.00 Central Daylight Time (CDT) or 10:00 a.m. EST and will be aired live on TV on FOX. You can also watch it on streaming platforms such as YouTube TV, Sling TV and Peacock TV, according to MARCA.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo's World Cup journey started under the cloud of uncertainty around his future. It was before his contract at Manchester United was torn up following his sensational interview with TV personality Piers Morgan.
Now Ronaldo has reportedly agreed a two-and-a-half year deal with Al Nassr - worth 173 million pounds-per-year ($21,16,42,145) that will see him play until the age of 40. But sources said that the Portuguese superstar insisted no deal has been signed. He remains focused on the World Cup with his country. He was pushing for a move away from Manchester United in the summer, but did not get his wish as he really wanted to play Champions League football. He had even reportedly rejected a team from Saudi Arabia in the process.
As for Al Nassr, it has won the Saudi Pro League nine times but not since 2019.
Chelsea is said to no longer be interested in signing the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. Newcastle, owned by a Saudi-led consortium, is also believed to have distanced itself from making a move.
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