Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be sidelined for between two and four weeks due to hamstring tendon injury.
Portuguese veteran Cristiano Ronaldo has a hamstring tendon injury, his Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr announced on Tuesday, but his participation in the 2026 World Cup does not appear to be in doubt. According to some media outlets, the 41-year-old captain of the Portuguese national team is expected to be sidelined for between two and four weeks, meaning he should be up and running well before the World Cup kicks off in the United States, Mexico and Canada on June 11.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player “has started a rehabilitation programme and his condition will be assessed day by day,” Al-Nassr said. Ronaldo, who is in line to play in a record sixth World Cup, was injured during a match at Al-Fayha last month in the Saudi Pro League.
Inter rest starters but gain cup draw in Como
Como and Inter Milan drew 0-0 in a cagey Italian Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday in which they managed just one shot on target between them.
Inter manager Cristian Chivu made 10 changes from the team that beat Genoa on Saturday to go 10 points clear in Serie A.
Cesc Fabregas’ Como largely dominated the match but squandered a series of promising positions. Winger Mergim Vojvoda missed at least three clear first-half chances while full-back Alex Valle spurned a good chance just after half-time. In the other semi-final, Lazio host Atalanta.
Kounde, Balde out ahead of Barca’s Newcastle tie
Barcelona will be without defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde for their Champions League last 16 tie against Newcastle after they were diagnosed with hamstring injuries. Both players were taken off hurt during Barca’s 3-0 Copa del Rey semi-final win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, with the Catalans ousted 4-3 on aggregate.
“The time of the recovery process (for Balde) will be four weeks,” said Barcelona in a statement, without specifying how long Kounde will miss. Spanish media reported France international Kounde, 27, is likely to be sidelined for a similar length of time.
As well as the Champions League matches, the duo will also miss La Liga games against Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano. Barcelona are currently also without midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who also has a hamstring injury. The injury makes Kounde a doubt for France’s friendlies against Brazil and Colombia in the United States at the end of March, in the build up to this summer’s World Cup. Balde is a Spain international but has been behind Marc Cucurella and Alex Grimaldo in coach Luis de la Fuente’s pecking order.
Galatasaray fans banned from game at Liverpool
Galatasaray will not be able to sell tickets to their fans for this month’s Champions League clash at Liverpool, after UEFA’s Appeals Body confirmed the sanctions they received over their supporters throwing objects, lighting fireworks and causing disturbances during last week’s trip to Juventus. Media reports said a man and his daughter were injured as a firework was thrown towards Juventus fans in Turin where the Italian club, down to 10 men, wiped out a three-goal deficit from a 5-2 loss in the first leg to force extra time in their Champions League playoff tie.
Turkish champions Galatasaray, who scored twice in extra time to qualify for the round of 16 with a 7-5 aggregate win, were also fined 40,000 euros ($46,000) by UEFA’s disciplinary committee for the fans’ behaviour. Galatasaray’s appeal against the punishment was rejected. Liverpool visit Galatasaray on Tuesday, with the second leg set for March 18.
More Asian Champions League matches postponed indefinitely
Next week’s matches in Asian tournaments scheduled in the Middle East have been postponed until further notice due to the conflict in the region, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said.
The US and Israel’s attack on Iran has affected countries throughout the Gulf, disrupting travel in some of the world’s busiest transit hubs and forcing several sporting events to be cancelled. Western region clashes in the Asian Champions League Elite, Champions League Two and the third-tier Challenge League, scheduled for next week between Monday and Wednesday, have been postponed, the AFC said in a statement.
The AFC earlier postponed this week’s Asian Champions League Elite round of 16 clashes in the Middle East, as Iran cancelled all sporting events and the Qatar Football Association suspended all matches in the country.
“The AFC’s priority remains the safety and security of all stakeholders including players, teams, officials, partners and fans and we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring a secure environment for all,” the continental body said in a statement.
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