Portugal has traveled to North America for pre-World Cup friendlies without its most iconic player.
Cristiano Ronaldo will miss out on Saturday's friendly at Mexico and Tuesday's friendly at the United States due to a muscle injury he suffered at the end of February in a game with Al Nassr..
After leaving Ronaldooff his Portugal's rosterlast week, Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez calmed any fears that the 41-year-old legend could be at risk of a long-term absence.
"The World Cup is not at risk" Martínez said. "It's a minor muscle injury and we think he can return in a week or two.
"Everything Cristiano has done physically during the season shows that he's in great shape."
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AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
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Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Estadio BBVA – Monterrey, Mexico" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
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BMO Field – Toronto" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
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Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America
MetLife Stadium– East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)
Earlier this month, Al Nassr manager Jorge Jesus said that Ronaldo's injury turned out be be worse than the club initially feared.
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"After the tests he underwent, it became clear that it is a more serious injury than we were expecting," Jesus said. "He will need rest and recovery. Cristiano will travel to Spain for treatment."
The 41-year-old's absence will take some of the luster out of Saturday's game, which will see Mexico reopen the Estadio Banorte (formerly Azteca) after it was closed for two years for renovations ahead of the World Cup.
The stadium in Mexico City will have the honor of hosting the World Cup opener on June 11, when Mexico faces South Africa.
Ronaldo has continued to be a key player for Portugal as he eyes a spot at a sixth World Cup this summer.
The forward has scored 143 goals for Portugal in 226 appearances, the most all-time international goals for any men's player.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Why is Cristiano Ronaldo not playing for Portugal vs. Mexico?