“The rivalry is over“—this is what Cristiano Ronaldo said months ago when asked to comment on Lionel Messi. But who knew it would turn out to be true? What was feared has happened, as the much-anticipated ‘GOAT’ reunion is in danger! This update may hit like a ton of bricks but in an unfortunate turn of events, the Portuguese legend is sidelined for 2 weeks due to injury, making him a potential doubt not just for the last dance but to miss the whole China tour! 

The excitement surrounding Al Nassr vs. Inter Miami kept fans on the edge of their seats. However, just hours ago, news came that Cristiano Ronaldo was struggling with the medics. Although the exact cause and type of injury haven’t been disclosed, judging by the time he has been sidelined, it looks grave. This is a huge blow, not just to his team but even to ardent fans. Everyone was looking forward to seeing No. 7 in action for the most hyped-up fixture.  

The matches that Ronaldo will miss are the first game against Shanghai Shenhua on January 24, followed by the encounter against Zhejiang on January 28. He could also miss the most-awaited friendly against Messi, which is on February 1. In that extreme case, we can see him back against domestic rivals Al Hilal on February 8, where Luis Castro’s side will draw the curtain on friendlies for this season. However, have his injuries been a recurring issue?

One can also consider that he might make a quick recovery and could potentially push himself to play in both, the tour and against David Beckham‘s soccer franchise. Yet, nothing can be confirmed now, so brace yourself for Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence! 

Cristiano Ronaldo was in discomfort during a recent training session

According to reports circulating in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo experienced minor muscle discomfort while training with his colleagues. Even though he managed to keep himself in the practice session for a longer time, the pain forced him to prematurely end his training session. The skipper even sought treatment at the club’s clinic. 

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It’s important to note that Cristiano Ronaldo has a proven track record of managing injuries and running them off. The most recent incidence occurred in November last year. He had injured his neck because of a collision during a match against Persepolis. Despite that, the captain still played!

The big question is- can Cristiano Ronaldo do it again? Let us know your perspective in the comments below. 

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