Cristiano Ronaldo is in line for a morale-boosting return to the Portugal side for today’s friendly in the US against the Republic of Ireland, just two days before the World Cup begins.
The 29-year-old forward has missed Portugal’s previous two warm-up matches through injury, hindering the side’s preparations for the Brazil tournament and sparking speculation that he might not be fit in time, but the Real Madrid ace returned to training on Saturday with Paulo Bento’s side, who have failed to sparkle in their captain’s absence.
Portuguese officials were tight-lipped on Sunday about Ronaldo’s availability for the Ireland encounter, but forward Vieirinha told reporters: “If he is fit to train, he is fit to play the match.”
Photo: Reuters
Portugal face a daunting World Cup opener on Monday next week against Germany in Group G, which also comprises the US and Ghana.
Bento has been keen to stress that Portugal — who only made it to Brazil via a playoff with Sweden that saw Ronaldo fire a hat-trick — are more than just one player, but VfL Wolfsburg’s Vieirinha admitted their star player’s return had buoyed the whole squad.
Vieirinha, 28, said: “Everybody knows the importance of Ronaldo to our team and his importance to the group, both on and off the pitch.”
Portugal have failed to impress without Ronaldo, who has been hampered by a left-thigh problem and tendinitis in his left knee.
They labored to a 0-0 draw in Lisbon against fellow World Cup qualifiers Greece, then on Friday, near Boston, they survived several scares before beating Mexico — who will also be in Brazil — 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time header by Bruno Alves.
Portugal will expect to make it to the knockout rounds, but Vieirinha cautioned: “We all know that the first game is always the most important.”
“We know how good the Germans are, but we also know what we can do against them. There are a lot of good teams at the World Cup, but we just need to do our work and what we do on the pitch is our responsibility, nobody else’s,” Vieirinha said. “Our first goal is to get through the group stage and if we do that, we’ll see how far we can go.”
Portugal’s remaining injury worry is feisty Real Madrid defender Pepe, who has been on a separate rehabilitation program as he returns after a calf injury.
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