Cristiano Ronaldo remains injury doubt for upcoming Al Nassr vs Inter Miami friendly

Cristiano Ronaldo has missed Al Nassr training camp

After suffering an injury that caused Al Nassr to reschedule their summer trip to China, Cristiano Ronaldo apologised in public. However, it is unclear if he will be healthy for Inter Miami’s match against Lionel Messi on February 1.

The five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or did not disclose the severity of the calf injury that kept him out of Shanghai Shenhua’s and Zhejiang’s games on Wednesday and Sunday, respectively.

Al Nassr attempted to make the most of the Saudi Pro League’s midway break by playing games against the Chinese teams in advance of Inter Miami‘s scheduled meeting in Riyadh when two of the best athletes in history will likely meet for the last time in their careers.

“Well, guys, for me, today’s a sad day. Because I want to say sorry to the Chinese fans, especially in Shenzhen. Because as you know, in football, some things you cannot control,” Ronaldo told a news conference.

“As you know, I played 22 years in football and I’m the player who doesn’t have too many injuries. So I’m really sad, because Al Nassr and myself, we come here to China to enjoy the tour.

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“I [have come] to China since 2003, 2004. So I feel [at] home here. I feel this is my second home not only because of the welcome of the Chinese people, but the culture that you have from me. I felt that I’m always [welcome], especially here in that country. So as you can see, I feel sad. I know you are sad, too, especially the people who love Cristiano.

“But we have to see this in a good way. When I say in a good way, I mean, we [have] not canceled the game. We’re going to postpone the game. We want to be back here in your country. We will be back.”

Less than 24 hours ahead of the start of the game the Saudi club’s friendly encounter against Shanghai Shenhua was postponed, much to the ire of Chinese fans gathered at Al Nassr’s hotel in Shenzhen.

Sadio Mané and Seko Fofana are in Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations, while the Al Nassr team, which includes Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Otavio, David Ospina, Aymeric Laporte, Alex Telles, and Anderson Talisca, is in Shenzhen.

The organisers guaranteed that all match tickets, airfare, and lodging expenses would be fully reimbursed to Chinese supporters.

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