Double good news at Al Nassr. After successfully completing their respective recovery programs, the team doctor, Carlos Miguel has given the green light for not only Sadio Mané but also Cristiano Ronaldo to rejoin training.
As a result, both stars are expected to be available to play on April 3, when Al Nassr hosts Al-Najma SC at Al-Awwal Park in the Saudi Pro League, where they currently lead the standings and are chasing the title.
Jorge Jesus welcomes back Cristiano and Mané
The Senegalese star has completed a physical training regimen that included running and strengthening exercises following his recent ankle injury sustained during a training session on March 12.
Meanwhile, Cristiano had been dealing with a hamstring injury suffered during the 3-1 victory over Al Fayha on February 28, where he had to be substituted. As a result, CR7 not only missed the matches against Neom SC and Al Kaleej but was also left out of Portugal’s squad for the two FIFA World Cup warm-up friendlies against Mexico (played on March 28, 0-0) and the USMNT (to be played on the 31st at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 7:30 PM ET).
Now, after completing his rehabilitation in Madrid and Riyadh, the 41-year-old Portuguese star is also ready to return to action, according to Arriyadiyah (h/t GOAL).
Despite having been sidelined since late February, Ronaldo has played in 26 official matches this season: 22 in the Saudi league, two in the Super Cup, one in the AFC Champions League, and one in the Saudi Cup, where he has tallied 22 goals and four assists.
This news comes as a boost for the team as it battles for the title with only 8 matches remaining. Additionally, his return to the field eases the pressure ahead of preparations for the 2026 World Cup, to be played in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, where both stars have stated it will be their final appearance.
Portugal‘s opening match at the World Cup will be played on June 17 in Houston against the winner of the intercontinental playoff between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Jamaica (to be decided this Tuesday, March 31), in Group K, which also includes Uzbekistan and Colombia.
Meanwhile, Senegal will share Group I with Norway and France, against whom they will play their opening match on June 16 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The third opponent will emerge from the intercontinental playoff between Iraq and Bolivia on Tuesday, March 31.
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