Portugal manager Fernando Santos has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo is a doubt for Friday's World Cup 2022 encounter with South Korea.
Already assured of a place in the last 16, the Portuguese enter their Group H finale needing just a point to secure top spot – but it goes without saying that they'd rather have their star man available.
Ronaldo scored his country's first goal of the tournament – a penalty to set them on their way to a 3-2 win over Ghana in their opening game – and, in doing so, became the first player ever to find the net at five separate men's World Cups.
He tried to claim the opener in Monday's 2-0 victory against Uruguay, only for replays to show that Bruno Fernandes' cross had sailed straight in.
But it remains unclear whether the leading international scorer of all time will be able to add to his 118-goal haul on Friday.
Speaking to the media in the build-up to the South Korea match, Santos said:
"I think it's 50/50 if [Ronaldo] plays or not; we'll see.
"It will depend on if and how he practises today [Thursday] – if we see he is in good condition. There is a plan for if he is not available."
Ronaldo – whose controversy-laden second spell with Manchester United came to an end last week as the club terminated his contract – missed training on Wednesday due to an unspecified injury.
