FIFA World Cup 2014: Ronaldo set to star in Brazil
Cristiano Ronaldo insists he is “100 percent fit” and ready to feature for Portugal in their opening FIFA World Cup fixture against Germany.
The 29-year-old FIFA Ballon d’Or winner has suffered with a knee and thigh problem recently, but played a full part in Sunday’s final training session in Salvador.
“I have been practising for a few days, which I couldn’t do if I was injured,” said Ronaldo ahead of the Group G clash.
“I’d like to be 110 percent, but I am at 100 percent and ready to help the national team.
“Obviously, I would like to play without pain, but in my entire career I have always had injuries and knocks to deal with, but I am ready to play.”
The Arena Fonte Nova clash is a re-run of Portugal’s Euro 2012 opener against Germany, where they lost 1-0, while the Germans have beaten the Portuguese at three of the last four major tournaments.
“Obviously the historical record has been positive for Germany recently, but I remember a recent case when Real Madrid couldn’t beat Bayern Munich and that changed,” said Ronaldo, whose Real side beat Bayern in this season’s UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Germany against Portugal is the first match of the day, kicking off at 17:00 BST at the Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador.
Group F clash Iran V Nigeria will follow at 20:00 BST at Arena da Baixada, Curitiba, before Ghana take on the United States in Group G at Estádio das Dunas, Natal, at 23:00.