Hamstring injury keeps Ronaldo out of Portugal friendlies against US and Mexico

LISBON — Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Portugal’s upcoming friendlies against the United States and Mexico after sustaining a hamstring injury, the Portuguese Football Federation confirmed Tuesday.

The setback comes less than two weeks before the World Cup kicks off across North America, raising immediate questions about the 39-year-old’s readiness for the tournament. Portugal is scheduled to face the U.S. on June 11 in East Hartford, Connecticut, and Mexico three days later in Mexico City, matches that were expected to serve as the team’s final tune-ups before opening group play.

Ronaldo, who has been managing recurring muscle issues late in the season, felt tightness in his left hamstring during training on Monday. Medical staff conducted scans that revealed a low-grade strain, prompting the decision to leave him out of both fixtures as a precaution.

The forward’s absence deprives Portugal of its all-time leading scorer and most experienced leader at a pivotal moment. With only a handful of sessions remaining before the squad disperses for the World Cup, manager Roberto Martínez will now turn to his depth chart to fill the void in attack.

Portugal’s first World Cup match is slated for June 20, leaving Ronaldo roughly a fortnight to recover and regain match fitness.