Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo Witters Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Portugal's World Cup warm-up match

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 11/16/22

Cristiano Ronaldo has made more headlines for his comments off the pitch than for his playing ability over the last few weeks as the World Cup has drawn near.

And it doesn't look like that will change anytime soon, with reports coming out on Wednesday that the Portuguese superstar will miss his team's World Cup warm-up match against Nigeria. Ronaldo reportedly pulled out of training because of a stomach bug.

Portugal head coach Fernando Santos has confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo will miss tomorrow's friendly match against Nigeria after pulling out of training with a stomach bug. ❌ pic.twitter.com/nqw2yKQs7c
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) November 16, 2022

The Manchester United forward reportedly sat out of Wednesday's training session after participating on Monday and Tuesday.

"Ronaldo has gastritis and did not train today in order to recover and rest," Portugal coach Fernando Santos said Wednesday, via ESPN. "It's a condition that doesn't help much, as it affects the players a lot, they lose a lot of liquid, they weaken. He won't be ready for tomorrow, for sure."

Santos was reportedly asked if the 37-year-old was in fact sick or just avoiding the spotlight, to which the manager replied: "If it were another player, we wouldn't question it, but yes, he really has gastritis and is in no condition to play."

Ronaldo made waves with a fiery interview he did with Piers Morgan over the weekend where he accused United of trying to kick him off the team and said he has no respect for manager Erik ten Hag. There were already questions as to how much longer Ronaldo will stay at Old Trafford, but the scathing interview has certainly made his future with the team an even bigger mystery.

Portugal plays their first match of the World Cup group stage on next Thursday, November 24 against Ghana.

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