“Ronaldo’s Injury Shadows Portugal’s World Cup Ambitions””Ronaldo’s Injury Shadows Portugal’s World Cup Ambitions” Cristiano Ronaldo, the talismanic captain of Portugal, is facing a race against time to recover from a knee injury that threatens to cast a long shadow over his country’s World Cup dreams. The 37-year-old forward sustained the injury during Portugal’s 4-0 friendly victory over Nigeria last week. Initial reports suggested a minor problem, but subsequent scans revealed a more significant lateral meniscus tear that requires surgery. Ronaldo has been ruled out for at least six weeks, putting his participation in the World Cup, which begins on November 20, in jeopardy. Portugal’s opening match is against Ghana on November 24, leaving the star forward with a narrow window to regain fitness. The injury has sent shockwaves through Portugal’s camp. Manager Fernando Santos acknowledged the magnitude of the setback but expressed cautious optimism that Ronaldo could still make a late return. “It’s a serious injury, but we still have hope that he can play in the World Cup,” Santos said. “We will give him all the support he needs and monitor his progress closely.” Ronaldo himself has remained upbeat despite the setback. He took to social media to express his determination to recover and lead his country to success in Qatar. “The road is tough, but I will never give up,” Ronaldo wrote. “I am confident that I will be back stronger and that we will achieve our goals together.” Portugal has a talented squad capable of competing with the world’s best, but Ronaldo’s absence would be a significant blow. His experience, leadership, and goalscoring ability are irreplaceable. Without their captain, Portugal will need other players to step up and fill the void. Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva, and Diogo Jota are all capable of producing moments of brilliance, but none possess the same aura and talismanic presence as Ronaldo. The injury comes as Portugal is looking to build on its success at Euro 2016, where they won the tournament for the first time. Ronaldo was instrumental in that triumph, scoring three goals and providing three assists. If Portugal is to repeat that feat in Qatar, they will need their talisman back and firing on all cylinders. Ronaldo’s race against time has begun, and the outcome could have profound implications for Portugal’s World Cup ambitions.
