Portuguese doctor tells Cristiano Ronaldo playing with knee injury could be career-threatening Kyle Bonn Jun 18, 2014, 12:26 PM EDT AP Cristiano Ronaldo‘s doctor is reportedly pleading with his patient not to play in the World Cup. For the players, the injury must be serious to keep them from playing in the world’s biggest event. But according to the doctor, it is. With MRI’s showing serious pressure on the patellar tendon in his left knee, experienced Portuguese surgeon Jose Carlos Noronha has warned Ronaldo that playing on it could risk tearing the tendon beyond repair. Dr. Noronha, known for performing top-level ACL repairs and other knee operations for soccer players, believes Ronaldo needs two months off from the game immediately if he wishes to fully repair the injury to his knee. According to quotes in El Confidential, the doctor told Ronaldo, “let your knee rest, or your future is in danger” to which Ronaldo replied, “I’m the one that says whether I’m playing or not.” Ronaldo left training early yesterday with his injured knee wrapped in ice, just as he did in the build-up to Portugal’s 4-0 defeat to Germany, in which Ronaldo looked less than healthy. It remains to be seen whether he’ll start against the United States. If Portugal loses that match, they are eliminated from knockout-round contention.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:29:05 +0000