Ronaldo is about to return

Cristiano Ronaldo could return to play earlier than expected after injury, as Al Nassr has planned a friendly match during the FIFA break in March.

Cristiano Ronaldo was not called up to the Portugal national team for the friendly matches in March against Mexico and the United States, as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury. However, the possibility of this superstar returning to the pitch may come sooner than expected, as Al Nassr reportedly arranged a friendly match during the FIFA break.

According to internal sources Ali Alabdallh, the team leading the Saudi Pro League has completed scheduling a friendly match with Al Anwar, a club playing in the Second Division, expected to take place on Friday, March 27 in Riyadh.

This development suggests Ronaldo could indeed return earlier than initially planned. Previously, his official return date was set for April 3, when Al Nassr faces Al Najma in the 27th round of the Saudi Pro League. However, the upcoming friendly match offers an opportunity for him to play a few days earlier.

Ronaldo suffered an injury during Al Nassr's 3-1 victory over Al Fayha on February 28, with initial medical assessments indicating he might need up to 4 weeks to recover in the worst-case scenario.

This timeframe coincides with the schedule of the friendly match against Al Anwar, but whether Ronaldo participates will ultimately depend on the final evaluation from the medical team as well as his own feeling on the match day.

If confirmed fit, the likelihood of Ronaldo playing is quite high, as coach Jorge Jesus directly requested the club management to arrange a friendly match during this period to maintain match readiness and provide opportunities for players not called up to the national team.

Nevertheless, with the 2026 World Cup less than 100 days away, the medical team will certainly be extremely cautious to avoid any risks. Even if there is a very small risk of re-injury, Ronaldo is likely to continue resting and postpone his official return to the match against Al Najma on April 3.