World player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo will suit up for Portugal when it meets the United States on Sunday in a game it needs to win in order to keep its World Cup campaign alive.
The Real Madrid ace trained on Saturday and is expected to be available when his country face the U.S. in a crucial Group G game. According to midfielder Raul Meireles via the Associated Press, Ronaldo is fit to play on Sunday.
Portugal lost its opening match, bowing to the Germans 4-0 and another loss will mean elimination from the tournament. On the other hand, the Americans won their opening game against Ghana, 2-1, and can secure a spot in the next round with a victory over the Portuguese.
U.S. goalie Tim Howard said of Ronaldo: ''He's strong physically. He's a fast runner. He's the best in the world with the ball at his feet. That's why he's the best player in the world. We're going to do our best to bottle him up.''
Ronaldo has been training with a brace on his left knee, triggering speculations that he might not be available for Sunday's game. Still, his coach Paulo Bento says there is no pressure at all on his star player. He told AP: ''In October 2010, I told him once and that's it, I would never put on his shoulders, or anybody else, the responsibility to solve the problems. 'The only person that has one individual responsibility is me.''
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