The 41-year-old Ronaldo has been away from the field since he was spotted limping during a Saudi Pro League game on September 28.

Much to the dismay of Ronaldo’s fans, Portugal coach Roberto Martínez was forced to exclude the five-time Ballon d'Or winner from the squad announced on Friday. Ronaldo has not featured in a match in the U.S. since an August 2014 exhibition game with Real Madrid versus Manchester United in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Portugal will be up against Mexico in Mexico City on March 28 and the U.S. in Atlanta on April 1.

They will subsequently face Uzbekistan, Colombia, and a play-off victor in Group K.

The World Cup will be hosted jointly by the USA, Canada, and Mexico between June 11 and July 19.

Ronaldo Can Return Soon: Martinez

As per Goal.com, Martinez said about Ronaldo’s omission from the team for friendlies, “The World Cup is not at risk!. He is not at risk. It is a minor muscle injury, and we think he can return in a week or two. Everything Cristiano has done physically during the season shows that he is in great shape.”

On Silva, he added, “Bernardo Silva, it’s a technical decision, based on the medical information that the player’s club provided.”

Portugal Full Squad:

Goalkeepers – Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting CP)
Defenders – Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), João Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Antonio Silva (SL Benfica) and Tomas Araujo (SL Benfica);

Midfielders – Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Mateus Fernandes (West Ham), Joao Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) and Rodrigo Mora (FC Porto);

Forwards – Ricardo Horta (SC Braga), Pedro Goncalves (Sporting CP), João Felix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincão (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceicão (Juventus), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad) and Goncalo Ramos (PSG).