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Cristiano Ronaldo Ruled Out Of Croatia Game Due To 'Infection Caused From Bee Sting'

Cristiano Ronaldo Ruled Out Of Croatia Game Due To 'Infection Caused From Bee Sting'

Ronaldo has suffered a painful infection in his toe...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to be sidelined for Portugal's UEFA Nations League game against Croatia this evening after suffering a painful foot infection.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is very rarely injured such is the incredible physical condition he is in, but Ronaldo is said to have been in great discomfort and missed the last few training sessions.

Manager Fernando Santos has shed light on Ronaldo's injury, which is being treated with antibiotics and apparently looks like something caused by a bee sting.

"I am very doubtful that he will be 100 per cent OK," Santos said in his press conference prior to Saturday's fixture, as per Football Italia.

"He had been training well, then suddenly on Wednesday one of his toes was red, as if he'd been stung by a bee. Now we have to wait. With an infection, you don't know how long the recovery is going to take."

With over 1000 games under his belt, the 35-year-old has missed just 44 games through injury, according to Transfer Markt.

You have to go back to 2008 for the last time he was absent for more than nine games when he was recovering from a fractured kneecap at Manchester United.

One of Ronaldo's most high-profile injuries came in the Euro 2016 final when he was stretchered off following a mistimed tackle from Dimitri Payet.

There was a memorable image of him sat on the Stade de France turf whilst a large insect climbed on his face.

With his knee bandaged up, an animated Ronaldo showed the footballing world a glimpse of his managerial style by standing on the touchline and spurring Portugal on to a shock 1-0 win in extra time.

Portugal begin their defence of the UEFA Nations League at home tonight, before they travel to Sweden on Tuesday.

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Topics: Football News, Football, Portugal, Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo