Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to feature in his country's international friendly against Nigeria after reportedly making himself available for selection ahead of the highly anticipated clash in Lisbon, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The veteran forward had initially been tipped to miss the encounter as part of efforts to carefully manage his workload ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Portugal's coaching staff were believed to be considering additional rest for the 41-year-old following a demanding season to ensure he arrives at the tournament in peak condition.
However, fresh reports indicate that Ronaldo has informed Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez of his readiness to play against the Super Eagles, potentially paving the way for his inclusion in the squad for the June 10 fixture.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner could also be named in the starting lineup as Portugal conclude their preparations for the global showpiece.
The friendly is expected to serve as Portugal's final test before the World Cup and offers Martínez another opportunity to assess his side against one of Africa's traditional football powerhouses.
For Nigeria, the possibility of facing one of football's greatest-ever players adds further excitement to an already high-profile fixture.
The Super Eagles head into the game in strong form after a productive international window. Nigeria successfully defended the Unity Cup title, defeating Zimbabwe 2-0 in the semi-finals before overcoming Jamaica 3-0 in the final.
Éric Chelle's side then extended their unbeaten run with a 2-2 draw against Poland in Warsaw, a contest in which the Super Eagles twice led before settling for a share of the spoils.
Since taking charge of the national team, Éric Chelle has overseen a steady improvement in performances, with Nigeria remaining unbeaten in regulation time under his leadership.
The meeting with Portugal is expected to provide another important benchmark for the Super Eagles as they continue preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Should Ronaldo feature, the match would mark his first senior international appearance against Nigeria, adding further significance to the occasion.
His participation is also expected to attract global attention, with football fans eager to see how the Super Eagles fare against a Portugal side led by one of the game's most prolific goalscorers and enduring icons.