Cristiano Ronaldo Confirmed for Mexico vs. Portugal at Azteca Stadium

Cristiano Ronaldo will indeed be part of Portugal’s squad for the friendly match against Mexico on March 28th at the newly renovated Azteca Stadium, as confirmed by multiple sources. The match marks the reopening of the iconic stadium ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ronaldo’s Return and Injury Status

The 41-year-old Al Nassr captain was previously sidelined due to a muscle injury sustained on February 28th during a match against Al Fayha ESPN. However, the recovery timeline of two to four weeks allows for his availability, though his playing time against Mexico may be limited as he continues to regain full fitness.

Importance of the Match for Portugal

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez views the upcoming friendlies against Mexico and the United States on March 31st as crucial for finalizing his squad for the 2026 World Cup. Martinez stated that these matches are “essential” for reducing the 40-player pool to the final 26-man roster ESPN.

Contractual Obligations and Squad Announcement

There is added pressure on Martinez to include Ronaldo in the squad due to a contractual obligation. Portugal could potentially lose 20% of the agreed-upon fee for the matches if Ronaldo is not part of the team SoyFutbol.

The official squad list for the Portugal National Team will be announced on Friday, March 20th, with Ronaldo expected to be included SoyFutbol.

Azteca Stadium Reopening

The match against Portugal signifies the grand reopening of the Azteca Stadium, which underwent renovations in preparation for hosting the opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup AP News.

Looking Ahead

Following the match against Mexico, Portugal will face the United States on March 31st in Atlanta as part of their World Cup preparations. Ronaldo will become the first player in history to play in six World Cups ESPN. Portugal is in Group K and will initiate their World Cup campaign against the Inter-confederation Play-offs 1 winner on June 17th.