RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Cristiano Ronaldo faces a brief but concerning spell on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring injury during **Al-Nassr**’s Saudi Pro League victory over Al-Fayha on Saturday, March 1, 2026. The 41-year-old Portuguese forward limped off in the 81st minute of the 3-1 win, clutching his right hamstring, prompting immediate medical evaluation and rehabilitation.

Al-Nassr issued an official statement on Tuesday, March 3, confirming the diagnosis: “Cristiano Ronaldo has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury after the last game against Al Fayha. He started a rehabilitation program and will be under evaluation day by day.” The club has not provided a fixed return date, emphasizing daily assessments to monitor progress and determine his comeback timeline.

Reports from reliable sources, including transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, indicate the injury could sideline Ronaldo for **two to four weeks**. Romano noted on social media that “Cristiano Ronaldo could be OUT for up to four weeks with muscle injury,” with additional tests pending. The forward is reportedly targeting a swift return, though the severity—described in some outlets as a hamstring tendon issue or more serious than initial muscle fatigue—has prompted specialist care. Recent updates suggest Ronaldo has traveled to Madrid for advanced rehabilitation, as confirmed by Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus, who described the setback as “more serious than expected.”

The timing raises questions for both club and country. Al-Nassr, competing in the Saudi Pro League and other competitions, will miss Ronaldo’s goal-scoring prowess and leadership in upcoming fixtures. The team faces potential absences for league games against Neom and Al-Khaleej, and any extended recovery could impact their title chase. Earlier in 2026, Ronaldo had already missed matches amid a brief reported dispute with the club, but he returned to training and action, starting 11 games since January.

For **Portugal**, the injury casts doubt on Ronaldo’s participation in upcoming international friendlies against Mexico on March 29 and the United States on April 1. These matches serve as key preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, starting June 11. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez may need to adjust plans if Ronaldo misses the final pre-tournament camp. However, medical experts and multiple reports stress the issue is not long-term, with Ronaldo expected to recover well before the World Cup. A two-to-four-week absence would position him to regain full fitness in April or May, allowing time to build match rhythm ahead of what could be his record sixth World Cup appearance.

Ronaldo, who turns 41 in February 2026, has maintained remarkable form in the Saudi Pro League despite his age. He has been a consistent starter for Al-Nassr under manager Jorge Jesus, contributing goals and assists while adapting to the demands of the league. The hamstring problem follows a season of heavy workload, including club duties and national team commitments. Earlier reports downplayed the initial discomfort as “muscle fatigue,” but further imaging revealed the true extent, leading to cautious management to avoid aggravation.

Fans and analysts express concern over the veteran’s durability, yet optimism prevails given Ronaldo’s history of resilience. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has overcome numerous injuries throughout his career, often returning stronger. Al-Nassr and Portugal medical teams prioritize a full recovery, with day-by-day evaluations guiding his progression from rehab to light training and eventual return.

The setback underscores the physical toll on elite athletes in their 40s, even legends like Ronaldo. As he focuses on rehabilitation—potentially in Madrid for specialized treatment—supporters worldwide await updates on his status. Al-Nassr continues to dismiss speculation about his future or departure, emphasizing his commitment amid the injury management.

Should recovery align with the two-to-four-week estimate, Ronaldo could miss a handful of club matches but remain on track for international duty later in the spring. His presence remains vital for Portugal’s World Cup ambitions and Al-Nassr’s pursuit of silverware. For now, the focus stays on careful healing to ensure the iconic forward is ready when it matters most.

As the situation develops, follow official club channels and Portugal announcements for the latest. Ronaldo’s determination, paired with top-tier medical support, suggests this is a temporary hurdle rather than a threat to his enduring legacy.

Mumbai: Bank customers losing up to Rs 50,000 in fraudulent electronic banking transactions could seek compensation even if the loss was due to their negligence, according to a Reserve Bank of India proposal. Under draft regulations issued by the central bank, such customers would be reimbursed 85% of the net loss or Rs 25,000, whichever is lower. The benefit could be availed of once during a customer’s lifetime.

Customers would have zero liability and be entitled to reversal of the transaction if the fraud occurred due to negligence of the bank or because of a third-party breach.

The regulator has proposed to place the burden of proving customer liability on banks in such cases. The directions would apply to electronic banking transactions undertaken from July 1, 2026, the draft regulations said.

According to the Reserve Bank of India, nearly 65% of fraud cases involve amounts below Rs 50,000.
Compensation would be provided if the loss was established as genuine under the bank’s internal policy. The victim must report the incident both to the bank and the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) within five days of the fraud.

After receiving a complaint, banks must examine it, determine liability and respond to the customer within 30 days.
The draft framework sets out a compensation-sharing mechanism. For losses below Rs 29,412, where the compensation would be 85%, the RBI would provide 65%, while the customer’s bank and the beneficiary bank would contribute 10% each, it said. For losses between Rs 29,412 and Rs 50,000, the RBI would contribute Rs 19,118, while the customer’s bank and the beneficiary bank would put in Rs 2,941 each. The proposed compensation mechanism would remain in force for one year from the effective date, after which it would be reviewed, the RBI said. The aim is to gradually increase the share borne by banks and reduce or eliminate the central bank’s contribution in such instances, it said. The regulator has invited comments from stakeholders on the draft until April 6, 2026.

Negligence by a bank includes failure to put in place required security systems, send transaction alerts, provide channels to report fraud or act promptly on customer complaints. Customer negligence includes sharing credentials such as PINs, passwords or OTPs, delaying the reporting of fraud.

The Dow Industrials slid 1.6%, nearly 800 points, while U.S. crude jumped 8.5% to $81.01 a barrel, its highest price since July 2024 and its biggest one-day jump since 2020. Brent crude, the global benchmark, climbed above $85.

The Dow dropped 785 points, or 1.6%. A late rebound lifted the index from an 1,100-point hole. The S&P 500 fell 0.6%. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.3%.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures spiked 8.5% to $81.01 a barrel, which is its biggest one-day percentage gain since May 14, 2020, and its highest settlement since July 18, 2024, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Brent crude oil futures, the international benchmark, rose 4.9% to $85.41 a barrel.

Mumbai: The Indian rupee could trade firmly below ’92 per dollar if the US-Israel war on Iran is prolonged. Rising oil prices and its impact on the fiscal deficit could also have a 0.2% to 0.4% impact on inflation, Bank of Baroda economists said in a webinar. Economists expect a 0.5% impact on India’s GDP due to higher crude prices assuming that there is a 10% rise in the commodity’s prices.

“It all depends on how long this war will last. If it is long drawn, there will be an impact on growth because of issues linked to supply, then there will also be an impact on the external trade and exports,” said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Bank of Baroda.

The bank still expects the rupee to trade in the Rs 91 per dollar to Rs 92 per dollar band.
On Friday, the rupee ended at 91.74/$1, down 14 paise from its previous close of 91.60/$1, despite strong intervention by the Reserve Bank of India in both the spot market as well as the offshore non deliverable forwards market. It had sunk to a record low of 92.30/$1 on Wednesday due to heightened pressures from geopolitical crisis. For India, which imports more than 89% of its crude, the supply disruption could impact the financial markets and real economy, as 60% of India’s crude passes through the Gulf of Hormuz.