Ronaldo takes precautionary training exit

Cristiano Ronaldo cut short a training session with Portugal on Thursday, leaving the field with an ice pack over his left knee — indicating that his tendinitis may still be bothering the star forward.

Ronaldo trained with the rest of the team for about 15-20 minutes doing physical exercises but then did not take part in the rest of the session with full ball drills.

Ronaldo has been bothered by left leg injuries ahead of the World Cup, and was sidelined for two weeks with tendinitis in the knee and a thigh problem.

However, Portugual midfielder Joao Moutinho said there was nothing to worry about concerning Ronaldo’s health.

“Ever since he started to train with us he has been 100 percent like the rest of us,” Moutinho said. “Everything is fine with him but there is some caution, not only with him. Today many other players were using ice as well. ”

Chandler trains solo

American defender Timmy Chandler did not participate in training with his U.S. teammates Thursday because of a leg injury the team said it considers minor.

U.S. team spokesman Michael Kammarman said Chandler worked out on his own and is expected to rejoin teammates Friday, when the Americans go through their last practice at Sao Paulo Futebol Clube before traveling north to Natal for their World Cup opener against Ghana next week.

Chandler has been competing with DaMarcus Beasley at left back.

Vidal probable

Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli says there is a “high possibility” that star midfielder Arturo Vidal will be fit to play in the team’s opening match of the World Cup against Australia today.

Vidal, Chile’s key player along with forward Alexis Sanchez, has been recovering from knee surgery undertaken last month.

Sampaoli said that the Juventus midfielder has been training as normal over the last three days but “the player might not have the same rhythm as the rest” of the squad.

Platini takes stand

Michel Platini has made it clear he will not support Sepp Blatter if FIFA’s president stands for re-election.

Blatter is expected to formally declare his candidacy for a fifth term, but European confederation president Platini says the time has come for a change.

Platini is considering whether to stand for FIFA presidency in next year’s election and says he will decide on Aug. 28.

Roundup

France striker Olivier Giroud and center half Laurent Koscielny were cleared to take part in Thursday’s training session after sitting out the previous day’s practice to have some physio treatment. … American referee Mark Geiger has been selected for his first World Cup duty when Colombia plays Greece on Saturday. … Italy plans to train as planned at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus despite concerns about the pitch at the jungle venue.