Ronaldo out of Portugal team to face Croatia

Lisbon (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been struggling with an infected toe, was omitted from Portugal’s match squad to face Croatia in the first round of the Nations League on Saturday in Porto. 

The Juventus attacker, a five-time Golden Ball winner, coud be replaced in the starting lineup by Eintracht Frankfurt forward Andre Silva or Wolves winger Diogo Jota. 

Porto midfielder Sergio Oliveira was assigned  the number seven jersey usually reserved for Ronaldo, Portugal’s all-time  top scorer, who remains on 99 international goals. 

Coach Fernando Santos had warned on Friday he doubted Ronaldo, who had not been able to train with the squad, would be able to start.

“With an injury, you can have an idea of how many days it takes to recover. An infection, you never know,” Santos said.

Portugal, the defending Nations League champions, face Sweden in Solna on Tuesday in the second round of games. 

Croatia, meanwhile, have excused playmakers Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic from international duties against Portugal and from a World Cup final rematch with France on Tuesday.