New Delhi: Cristiano Ronaldo has suffered an injury scare just a few months before the FIFA World Cup 2026. He was forced off with a hamstring injury during Al-Nassr’s 3-1 victory on Saturday, raising big concerns over his fitness ahead of the global event that will begin from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Al Nassr confirmed Ronaldo’s injury but didn’t say how long the 41-year-old would be out. He was seen training in the gym in pictures shared by the Saudi club on social media.

“Cristiano Ronaldo has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury after the last game against Al-Fayha. He started a rehabilitation program and will be under evaluation day by day,” Al-Nassr said in a statement.

Ronaldo remains a crucial player for both club and country despite entering the latter stages of his career. The Portuguese forward has 226 international caps and is expected to lead his country in his sixth appearance at a World Cup. Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus initially suggested that Ronaldo was experiencing muscle fatigue rather than a serious injury setback.

Brazil forward Rodrygo to miss World Cup due to ACL injury

Rodrygo will miss the rest of Real Madrid’s season and the upcoming World Cup due to a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee. He was injured in Madrid’s 1-0 defeat against Getafe on March 2. He came on as a substitute from the bench after missing out for almost a month due to tendinitis.

Real Madrid also confirmed the diagnosis on Tuesday. Rodrygo called it one of the worst days of his life and said that he had always feared this injury.

“I’ve always feared this injury. Maybe life has been a little cruel to me lately. I don’t know if I deserve this, but what can I complain about? How many wonderful things I’ve already experienced, which I also didn’t deserve,” he said on Instagram.

“I’m out for the rest of the season with my club and out of the World Cup with my country, a dream that everyone knows how much it means to me. And all I can do is be strong as always, that’s nothing new,” Rodrygo added.

Real Madrid and Brazil’s Football federation haven’t mentioned any surgery or a timetable for Rodrygo’s return from injury.