Cristiano Ronaldo was seen limping away from the field during the Portugal Training Practice. He left the session 30 minutes earlier with his knees strapped with ice. According to Dr. Jose Carlos Noronha, one of soccer's most respected knee surgeons, if he continued to play with his injured left knee, then it is going to threaten his career. He also advised Ronaldo that the patellar tendinitis needs rest and if he does not do so, his future is in danger.

But instead of following the advice of his doctor, he went ahead and played the whole 90 minute game against Germany. The game resulted in them losing to Germany with the score 4 to 0. Portugal would need to win against USA to stand a chance in advancing to the next round of games.

This is the second time that the 29 year old power forward limped off a practice session since the World Cup began. He has been training exclusively with a trainer looking after his left knee.

Portugal will be playing against USA on Sunday at Arena Amazônia, Manaus. It is still not certain if Ronaldo will be playing with Portugal on that game or if he will be playing as his usual self. According to Portugal's backup goalkeeper Beto (António Alberto Bastos Pimparel), "Cristiano is 100 percent fit to play. Every match, if he starts to play, it is because he is fit to play."

When United States defender Fabian Johnson was asked about Ronaldo's uncertainly in playing on Sunday, he said "We have to be ready for him. If he's going to play or not, we have to be ready for him."

May of Portugal's star player will not be playing for the team. Defender Fabio Coentrao won't be able to play for the whole duration of the World Cup due to a muscle strain while striker Hugo Almeida also limped out off the Germany match halfway through the game. Furthermore, star center Pepe (Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira) was suspended for head-butting Muller during the Germany game.

This is going to be tough fight for the Portugal. Ronaldo has to make a tough choice whether to save his left knee and sit out off the game or play the game to help salvage the team.