Cristiano Ronaldo ruled out of Portugal WC play-offs

Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo is officially ruled out the Portugal world cup play-off’s after further examination in Lisbon revealed him unfit to play due to his ankle injury.

Ronaldo, 24, had been called up by Portugal to play in next week’s World Cup play-offs against Bosnia, despite his club, Real Madrid, insisting that he was injured.

Real were upset that Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz had named the £80million winger in his squad for the double-header against Bosnia-Herzegovina as Ronaldo had not played for them since September with an ankle injury which he aggravated in the last round of international games.

However, Ronaldo travelled to Lisbon on Tuesday to undergo tests with the Portugal medical team, who subsequently ruled the player out of the tie.

Portugal’s football federation said on its official website, “After clinical evaluation and imaging, it was concluded that the player is not physically able to take part with the national team for these games.”

Portugal’s coach, Carlos Queiroz, defending his decision to ask Ronaldo to return to Portugal for assessment said, “Based on the rules and principles governing clubs and associations, we have put Cristiano in the squad.”

“Cristiano and everyone will be observed. Our medical team are competent and responsible, and you will see what happens. I do not understand the nervousness in some sectors. It is a decision that is non-negotiable, unavoidable, a decision that protects the interests of the player.

But this fact cannot compel me to put any club below or above the others. All clubs and players deserve equal treatment.”

Portugal were drawn to play Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-off with the first leg to be played in Leiria on Saturday.