Bad news for Portugal as superstar winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been declared a doubt for the final World Cup qualifier against Malta on Wednesday after limping off the pitch in the 3-0 win over Hungary on Saturday.
Manager Carlos Queiroz told reporters that the FIFA World Player of the Year is expected to be sidelined as Portugal seek to the home victory that will secure a play-off berth.
Queiroz also said that Ronaldo will most probably miss the Malta game and his situation requires more detailed examination. He assed that he has already spoken to the medical team and the response is not very encouraging.
Ronaldo sprained his ankle playing for Real Madrid in a Champions League match against Marseille in late September and missed the club’s last league match, a defeat at Sevilla on October 3.
He recovered ahead of the Hungary match, and on Friday told reporters he was almost fully fit, but the injury forced him off after just 30 minutes in the Ferenc Puskas Stadium.