Injured Ronaldo joins up with Portugal squad

MADRID (AFP) –

Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (right) celebrates after scoring during the Spanish League Clasico match against Barcelona on October 7 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. Ronaldo will join up with the Portugal World Cup squad despite suffering a suspected sprained left shoulder during Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Barcelona at the weekend, the Spanish club said on Monday.

Cristiano Ronaldo will join up with the Portugal World Cup squad despite suffering a suspected sprained left shoulder during Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Barcelona at the weekend, the Spanish club said on Monday.

“Cristiano Ronaldo will join the Portuguese squad today (Monday),” Real Madrid said in a statement on their website.

Ronaldo “will remain under observation” at their base in the Portuguese city of Obidos but is expected to play the two qualifiers against Russia this Friday and against Northern Ireland on October 16.

Ronaldo, who scored both of his club’s goals at Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium on Sunday, landed badly on his shoulder after trying to score with an overhead kick in the 64th minute.

“Cristiano Ronaldo suffered a sprained left shoulder. He will undergo more tests with doctors over the next few hours,” Real Madrid said.

Ronaldo, who leads coach Paulo Bento’s team that are coming off victories over Luxembourg and Azerbaijan and take on unbeaten Russia at the top of Group F, could be seen grimacing and gripping his shoulder as he sat on the pitch after the injury.