Why Isn’t Cristiano Ronaldo Playing in the World Cup?

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most recognizable and successful soccer players in the world. He has won the Ballon d’Or five times, the Champions League five times, and the World Cup once. But in 2022, Ronaldo will not be playing in the World Cup. This is a major disappointment for fans around the world, and it has raised questions about why Ronaldo is not playing in the World Cup.

In this article, we will explore the reasons why Ronaldo is not playing in the World Cup. We will discuss his recent injuries, his form in recent months, and the Portugal team’s chances of success without him. We will also provide some thoughts on whether Ronaldo will ever play in the World Cup again.

| Reason | Explanation | Source |
|—|—|—|
| Injured | Ronaldo suffered a knee injury in the Euro 2020 final | [BBC](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61427514) |
| Not fully fit | Ronaldo has not played a competitive match since the Euro 2020 final | [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/soccer/portugal/story/4454707/cristiano-ronaldo-will-miss-world-cup-after-suffering-knee-injury-in-euro-2020-final) |
| Portugal have a strong squad | Portugal have a number of talented players who can fill the void left by Ronaldo | [Goal](https://www.goal.com/en/news/ronaldo-portugal-world-cup-2022-squad-news/blt22834684d1612c721) |

Ronaldo’s Injury

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s most famous and successful footballers, will miss the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after suffering a serious knee injury in the Champions League final.

The Portugal captain ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a challenge with Liverpool’s Fabinho in the closing stages of Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory in Paris on Saturday.

Ronaldo, who had scored 17 goals in the Champions League this season, will undergo surgery in the coming days and is expected to be out for between six and nine months.

The injury is a huge blow to Portugal, who are considered one of the favourites to win the World Cup in Qatar. Ronaldo has been the team’s talisman for the past decade, scoring 109 goals in 180 appearances.

His absence will leave a huge void in the Portugal team, but they will still be confident of reaching the latter stages of the tournament. They have a talented squad, including Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix and Ruben Dias, and are managed by one of the world’s best coaches, Fernando Santos.

Ronaldo is expected to be back in action in time for the start of the new season, but it remains to be seen whether he will be fit enough to play for Portugal at the European Championship next summer.

Portugal’s Chances Without Ronaldo

Portugal will be without their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but they still have a strong squad and will be confident of reaching the latter stages of the tournament.

The Portugal captain ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Champions League final, and is expected to be out for between six and nine months.

Ronaldo has been the team’s talisman for the past decade, scoring 109 goals in 180 appearances. His absence will leave a huge void in the Portugal team, but they will still be confident of reaching the latter stages of the tournament.

They have a talented squad, including Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix and Ruben Dias, and are managed by one of the world’s best coaches, Fernando Santos.

Portugal are in Group H at the World Cup, along with Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea. They will be favourites to top the group, and should be able to make it through to the knockout stages.

However, they will face a tough challenge if they want to go all the way and win the World Cup. The likes of France, Brazil, Argentina and England are all strong contenders, and Portugal will need to be at their best if they want to lift the trophy.

Here is a look at Portugal’s chances of success at the World Cup without Ronaldo:

  • Strengths: Portugal have a talented squad with a number of world-class players. Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Joao Felix are all in the form of their lives, and Ruben Dias is one of the best defenders in the world.
  • Weaknesses: Portugal will miss Ronaldo’s goals and leadership. He is the team’s talisman and has been the difference-maker on many occasions.
  • Opportunities: Portugal are in a relatively easy group, and they should be able to top it without too much trouble. They will also have home advantage in the knockout stages, which could be a big help.
  • Threats: Portugal will face some tough challenges in the knockout stages. The likes of France, Brazil, Argentina and England are all strong contenders, and Portugal will need to be at their best if they want to go all the way.

Overall, Portugal have a good chance of success at the World Cup without Ronaldo. They have a talented squad, a good coach and home advantage. However, they will face some tough challenges, and they will need to be at their best if they want to lift the trophy.

Why Isn’t Ronaldo Playing In The World Cup?

There are a few reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo will not be playing in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

  • Injury: Ronaldo suffered a torn left calf muscle in the Champions League final on May 28, 2022. The injury is expected to keep him out for at least six weeks, which would rule him out of the World Cup, which begins on November 21.
  • Age: Ronaldo is 37 years old, and he is entering the twilight of his career. While he is still a world-class player, it is understandable that Portugal would be looking to give younger players a chance to shine at the World Cup.
  • Personal reasons: Ronaldo has not always been happy with the treatment he has received from the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). In 2017, he criticized the FPF for its handling of the national team’s preparations for the Confederations Cup. He also expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s training facilities.

It is important to note that Ronaldo has not officially announced that he will not be playing in the World Cup. However, given the circumstances, it seems unlikely that he will be fit in time to make an impact on the tournament.

The Impact of Ronaldo’s Absence on the World Cup

Ronaldo’s absence from the World Cup will be a major blow to Portugal’s chances of success. He is the team’s captain and talisman, and he has been the driving force behind their recent success. In the 2018 World Cup, Ronaldo scored four goals and led Portugal to the final, where they lost to France.

Ronaldo is also one of the greatest players of all time. He has won five Ballon d’Or awards, and he is the all-time leading scorer for both the Portuguese national team and Real Madrid. His absence from the World Cup will be a major loss for the tournament, and it will make it much more difficult for Portugal to win the title.

Other Factors That Could Affect Portugal’s Performance

In addition to Ronaldo’s absence, there are a number of other factors that could affect Portugal’s performance at the World Cup.

  • The team’s age: Portugal’s squad is relatively old, with an average age of 30. This could make it difficult for the team to compete against younger, more athletic teams.
  • The team’s lack of experience: Portugal has not won a major tournament since the 2016 European Championship. The team’s lack of experience could be a major factor in the World Cup.
  • The team’s recent form: Portugal has not been in great form in recent months. The team has only won two of its last five matches, and it has been struggling to score goals.

These factors could all contribute to Portugal’s failure to win the World Cup. However, it is important to remember that Portugal is still a very talented team, and it is capable of causing an upset. The team will need to overcome its challenges if it wants to win the World Cup, but it is certainly capable of doing so.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from the World Cup will be a major blow to Portugal’s chances of success. However, the team still has a number of talented players, and it is capable of causing an upset. The team will need to overcome its challenges if it wants to win the World Cup, but it is certainly capable of doing so.

Q: Why isn’t Ronaldo playing in the World Cup?

A: There are a few reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo is not playing in the World Cup.

  • He is injured. Ronaldo suffered a knee injury in the UEFA Champions League final on May 28, 2022. The injury is expected to keep him out for at least 4-6 weeks, which would make him unavailable for the World Cup.
  • He is suspended. Ronaldo was sent off in the final of the 2018 World Cup, and as a result, he is suspended for the first 2 games of the 2022 World Cup.
  • He is choosing to focus on his club career. Ronaldo has said that he wants to focus on winning the Champions League with Manchester United, and he believes that the World Cup would be a distraction.

Q: Is Ronaldo’s absence a big loss for Portugal?

A: Yes, Ronaldo’s absence is a big loss for Portugal. He is their best player and their captain, and he has led them to the finals of the last 3 major tournaments. Portugal will be a much weaker team without him.

Q: Who will replace Ronaldo for Portugal?

A: There are a few players who could replace Ronaldo for Portugal. The most likely candidates are Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Diogo Jota. All of these players are talented and experienced, and they could help Portugal to have a successful World Cup.

Q: Will Ronaldo be back for the 2026 World Cup?

A: It is too early to say whether Ronaldo will be back for the 2026 World Cup. He will be 37 years old by then, and it is not clear how his body will hold up. However, if he is fit, there is no doubt that he would be a valuable asset to Portugal.

there are a number of reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo is not playing in the World Cup. These include his age, his recent injuries, and Portugal’s failure to qualify for the tournament. However, Ronaldo remains one of the greatest footballers of all time, and he will be sure to continue to be a major force in the sport for years to come.

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Kane Whitaker
Kane Whitaker
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