[WORLD CUP 2010 COUNTDOWN] Cristiano Ronaldo said he hoped to join Portugal for its World Cup qualifying playoff series with Bosnia, but Real Madrid has refused to release him.

Ronaldo injured his ankle playing for Real Madrid on Sept. 30 and has not played since. Real said he needs two more weeks of treatment on his ankle.

"The doctors and common sense prevent Cristiano Ronaldo being called up by Portugal,"  Real director general Jorge Valdano said on Friday Ronaldo would not be going."

Added Real coach Manuel Pellegrini: "It's impossible for Ronaldo to play with Portugal. I feel sorry for the Portugal squad and for the player, but he hasn't trained for a long time now and he is still in pain."

Injured on a nasty tackle by Marseille defender Souleymane Diawara in the Champions League, Ronaldo was supposed to have returned by now.

Carlos Queiroz, the Portugal coach, remained hopeful of having Ronaldo for the games Oct. 14 and 18.

"From now until Sunday, a lot of things can transpire, with Ronaldo as with other players," Queiroz is reported as saying in Correio da Manha.