2022 World Cup play-offs: You’ll suffer blows when Italy face Portugal – Bonucci warns Ronaldo

Italy defender, Leonardo Bonucci, has warned Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, that he knows he would ‘suffer some blows’ should both teams clash at the 2022 World Cup play-off.

Bonucci played alongside Ronaldo for Juventus before the forward left for Manchester United in the summer of 2021.

Italy had been drawn with Portugal, Turkey and North Macedonia and in their 2022 World Cup play-off group.

Roberto Mancini’s men will face North Macedonia in the semi-final and could potentially meet Portugal or Turkey in the final.

“I heard Cristiano Ronaldo and we joked about the possible Portugal vs Italy match, we will see what happens on the pitch, Cristiano knows he will suffer some blows,” Bonucci told Rai Sport.

The 34-year-old centre-back added: “We have to concentrate on what we will do on the pitch, then in March we will meet again and I’m convinced that we will play two great matches.”

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place in Qatar from 21 November to 18 December 2022.