‘Someone put a curse on me!’ - Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal team-mate Renato Sanches bemoans torrid injury history but denies allegations he has seen a witch doctor

Since breaking through at Benfica as a teenager eight years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal teammate Renato Sanches has endured an injury-hit career. The Roma midfielder sat out his side's draw with Fiorentina on Sunday, during which he reportedly told his former Lille teammate Jonathan Ikone that he might have been cursed.

Sanches has already picked up three separate injuries since joining Jose Mourinho's Roma in the summer. After saying that he might be cursed, the 26-year-old was forced to publicly deny rumours that he has seen a witch doctor.

According to La Republica, cameras caught Sanches chatting to Ikone as Roma and Fiorentina players emerged for the second half of their game on Sunday. When Ikone asked Sanches why he keeps getting injured, the newspaper claims the Roma player said: "I don't know. Somebody probably put a curse on me."

Sanches confirmed this on Tuesday, but rubbished reports that he had seen a witch doctor.

Sanches last kicked a ball for Roma in November. They are next in action against Sheriff in the Europa League on Thursday.