Portugal call on Ronaldo

Even though he's injured, and a long way from coming back to full fitness and his scintillating best, Cristiano Ronaldo has been called up for Portugal's must-win games next week.

Portugal face a play-off against Bosnia on Saturday and Wednesday of next week, to see which team makes it through to the World Cup Finals in South Africa 2010.

With the stakes so high, it is no wonder Ronny has been called up to the squad by Carlos Queiroz, who hopeshe can get 'just a few minutes' out of the talismanic superstar.

Real madrid were told last week that Ronaldo still hadn't made any progresson his injury, and he was seen leaving a dutch ankle specialist's surgery on Wednesday.

Real Madrid are said to be incenced at the call-up, especially because Ronaldo was injured in the last match he played for his country.

"You have to remember that he injured himself again playing for Portugal and so he's a long way from being a player who lacks commitment," Valdano commneted. "Perhaps it's an excess of commitment (that) has put us in this situation. Making the same mistake again would be a great deal more serious."