Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will be without both of their first-choice centre-backs for their Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier against Turkey, after Pepe tested positive for COVID-19 at the start of the March international break.
In a major blow to the nation's hopes of making this year's tournament, Fernando Santos' side will be forced to compete in their semi-final play-off without their nominal starting pair at the back, after Ruben Dias was also ruled out of action.
Ronaldo is looking to make it to what will likely be his final World Cup, having failed to triumph on the biggest stage of all for his country - but his hopes could be dashed before they even begin if Portugal fall short over the next few weeks.
Pepe tests positive for COVID-19
"Pepe tested positive for Covid-19 and will fulfill the scheduled isolation days," said an official FPF statement. "Fernando Santos, National Coach, [has] called up Tiago Djalo, defender of Lille, who was at the service of the U21 National Team.
MORE: USMNT roster breakdown for CONCACAF March World Cup qualifiers
"The National Team trains this afternoon, at Cidade do Futebol, in the first session of preparation for the game with Turkey, in the play-off [for] the 2022 World Cup."
Despite reaching 39 years old, Pepe is still the recognized starter for Portugal at center-back. With 139 international caps to his name, the Porto man has been a mainstay for the nation's defense since debuting in 2007.
Of the last seven competitive matches that Pepe has missed, Portugal dropped points in three of them, including World Cup qualifying losses to France and Serbia.
🎶 𝘏𝘪𝘯𝘰 + 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘢 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘢 = ❤️🇵🇹! #VamosComTudo pic.twitter.com/af7Tel1XrR
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) March 20, 2022
Ruben Dias out with hamstring injury
Manchester City defender Ruben Dias suffered a hamstring injury back on March 1 in FA Cup action against Peterborough. He has not featured for the Premier League leaders since, and Pep Guardiola has been careful to bring him back too soon, even as City has seen its lead atop the table shrink considerably.
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Dias was ruled out of the matches for Portugal this international break, a huge loss for the nation, as Dias has developed into one of the world's most steady defenders.
"They told me five or six weeks," Guardiola said over the weekend. "I think we will be short after the international break but they told me it is getting better, his symptoms are very good. But the problem when he got injured, the doctors told me to be careful. It looks like you are good but falling down again means the season is over."
Why are Portugal not qualified for the World Cup already?
Despite entering the first stage of UEFA qualification as favorites, Portugal labored to a second-place finish in Group A, and finished behind Serbia who qualified automatically.
It meant that Ronaldo and company entered into the second round of qualification, where they were drawn against Turkey as part of Path C.
If they win their semi-final clash, then a winner-takes-all encounter with either Euro 2020 winners Italy or North Macedonia awaits.
