Cristiano Ronaldo’s doctor is reportedly pleading with his patient not to play in the World Cup. (UPDATE: Teammate says Ronaldo 100 percent fit for Sunday.)
For the players, an injury must be serious to keep them from playing on the world’s biggest stage. But according to the doctor, this one is.
With MRI’s showing serious pressure on the patellar tendon in the 29-year-old’s left knee, experienced Portuguese surgeon Jose Carlos Noronha has warned Ronaldo that playing on it could risk tearing the tendon beyond repair.
Dr. Noronha, known for performing top-level ACL repairs and other knee operations for soccer players, believes Ronaldo needs two months off from the game immediately if he wishes to fully repair the injury to his knee.
According to quotes in El Confidential, the doctor told Ronaldo, “let your knee rest, or your future is in danger” to which Ronaldo replied, “I’m the one that says whether I’m playing or not.”
[RELATED: What’s health status for US players on Sunday?]
Ronaldo left training early yesterday with his injured knee wrapped in ice, just as he did in the build-up to Portugal’s 4-0 defeat to Germany, in which he looked less than healthy.
It remains to be seen whether he’ll start against the United States. If Portugal loses that match, they are eliminated from knockout-round contention.
[ RELATED: World Cup news, analysis from Soccerly ]
