Bruno Fernandes has moved to Portugal squad concerns, insisting there is no internal division after Cristiano Ronaldo unexpectedly left the national team’s training camp in Denmark.
On Wednesday, Portuguese record goalscorer Ronaldo, 41, left, one day before the team’s Nations League clash with Denmark. His removal came after head coach Jorge Jesus had made comments which seemed to accept that there was some undercurrent of tension with the veteran forward.
Portugal had been hit hard but reacted well on the pitch, winning 4-2 against Denmark and putting themselves in a better position for the next round of the competition.
Manchester United captain Fernandes stated that he had spoken directly with Ronaldo, and denied there was a rift within the team. He also highlighted the fact that Ronaldo is still playing a significant role in Portuguese football.
Fernandes said at a press conference in advance of Portugal’s next match against Norway in Portugal that he will never stop being “the great symbol of our national team, of our football and of our country”.
The midfielder singled out Ronaldo’s awards to Portugal and around the world and has stated that Ronaldo is still highly regarded for his achievements by supporters and teammates. Fernandes also called on people not to speculate about the incident and said the team is preparing to win, so let them get that ready.
“Within the national team, there are no divisions, there are only one team and it will be one team,” he said.
Jesus and Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca went to Copenhagen airport in a bid to persuade Ronaldo to stay with the squad but failed, according to Spanish newspaper Marca. Later Ronaldo gave an explanation on Instagram, saying that he followed the press conference with Jesus and a meeting with Proenca. He would share his reasons “in due course,” he said.
Finally, Fernandes said he hoped the situation would turn out well for all involved, that this was a matter of it “going well”.
