Portugal coach Queiroz confident of Cristiano Ronaldo

Referring to the 25-year-old Real Madrid star, Queiroz said: "He is good, he is looking forward to it. Cristiano Ronaldo is the captain of the team and a big icon nationally and internationally, and he is ready."

"It's time to play. The preparation time has come to an end and the players now all really want to start playing, playing well and showing what they are capable of," Queiroz said. "We have 23 players who are desperate to do well for Portugal and I am sure all the players and not only Cristiano Ronaldo will be motivated by national pride."

Cote d'Ivoire forward Didier Drogba, who broke his right arm in a friendly match against Japan in the build-up to the World Cup, has been given the green light by FIFA to play with a protective cast on his arm and are very likely to be fielded in the World Cup Group G encounter against Portugal.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba will be the inspirations for their sides as they both look to emerge from the tough Group G, which also included the highly favorites Brazil and DPR Korea; Kazinform cites Xinhua.

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