Cristiano Ronaldo will not feature for Portugal when they face Nigeria in Thursday’s warm-up game due to a stomach bug.
The Manchester United forward missed Wednesday’s training session, having trained the previous two days with the national team.
“Ronaldo has a gastritis and did not train today in order to recover and rest,” Portugal coach Fernando Santos said.
“It’s a condition that doesn’t help much, as it affects the players a lot, they lose a lot of liquid, they weaken. He won’t be ready for tomorrow, for sure.”
Asked if the Portugal captain really had a stomach bug or if it was just an excuse following the uproar that Ronaldo’s explosive interview had generated around the world, Santos laughed and said: “If it were another player, we wouldn’t question it but yes, he really has gastritis and is in no condition to play.”
In Sunday’s interview, Ronaldo, 37, criticised United and said he has no respect for coach Erik ten Hag, leaving his future at Old Trafford uncertain.
He joined the national team on Monday to prepare for his fifth World Cup.
Santos said he respects Ronaldo’s decision and doesn’t believe it will affect his national team.