Portugal coach Bento shows the strain over Ronaldo injury fears
Coach can't hide his frustration as Real Madrid star still not able to train; others also struggling
Cristiano Ronaldo's chances of being fit for Portugal's opening World Cup clash with Germany were thrown into further doubt after coach Paulo Bento refused to put a timeframe on his return.
Ronaldo, 29, failed once more to train with his teammates as they went through their paces ahead of a friendly with fellow World Cup qualifiers Mexico in the United States.
Portugal play the strongly fancied Germans on June 16 but, at this rate, they could be without their star player and talisman, who was already ruled out of the Mexico game due to persistent leg injuries. The Real Madrid forward has a left thigh injury and tendinitis in the knee of the same leg, and has been struggling for fitness for several weeks in the build-up to the Brazil showpiece.
Even if Ronaldo is free of injury, it looks increasingly unlikely he will be match fit.
"The situation is evolving and our expectations are evolving constantly," Bento said at the Foxborough stadium of the New England Patriots, after being asked repeatedly when Ronaldo will be fit.
"When he's ready to play is a decision that will be made just like any other player, regardless of who it is.
"I'm not at liberty to discuss at full length the situation. As soon as he is ready to train, we will make that announcement."