Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Portugal training ahead of World Cup 2022 opener after Man Utd star’s ‘stomach bug’ absence

CRISTIANO RONALDO has returned to Portugal training after recovering from a stomach bug.

The 37-year-old was absent from his country's final warm-up game against Nigeria on Thursday due to illness.

But on Saturday he was pictured back with the rest of his Portugal teammates as they prepare for the start of their World Cup campaign.

And that will be a boost for manager Fernando Santos, just five days before their first game in Qatar.

A Ronaldo-less Portugal dispatched Nigeria 4-0 in their friendly, with Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes bagging a brace.

They head into the tournament with a host of stars including the likes of Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias and Rafael Leao.

But all the talk in the lead-up to the World Cup has surrounded Ronaldo following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.

The Man Utd legend took aim at the Red Devils for mistreating him since his return to Old Trafford last year.

And the story continued to rumble on when Fernandes joined up with the Portugal team as he was filmed appearing to give Ronaldo a frosty reception when arriving for national team duty.

But teammate Bernardo Silva attempted to quash reports of friction between Fernandes and Ronaldo in a press conference on Saturday.

He said: "It is a team that has Cristiano. He's part of it, obviously, but when he's not, we know how to respond, as we have shown lately.

"Whenever he wasn't there, we have responded well.

"We're all set. There is 26 of us, it doesn't matter if it's one or the other.

"There is no weird atmosphere between Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo, I don't see a big deal. It's a shame to be talking only about this."

Portugal begin their World Cup campaign against Ghana on Thursday.

They have also been drawn against Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.