Cristiano Ronaldo’s sudden walkout from Portugal’s training camp has raised questions about his international future, but teammate Bruno Fernandes insists the controversy has not divided the squad.
Ronaldo, 41, left the team in Copenhagen on Wednesday, shortly after Portugal coach Jorge Jesus acknowledged tensions between them.
The Al-Nassr star departed just a day before Portugal’s Nations League match against Denmark, which his teammates won 4-2 without him.
Ronaldo later said on Instagram that he decided to leave after Jesus’ news conference and a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proenca. He promised to explain his reasons “in due course.”
Fernandes said he had spoken with Ronaldo and urged people not to turn the episode into a split within the national team.
“The most important thing is that we stop stirring up trouble; there are no divisions within the national team,” the Manchester United captain said ahead of Portugal’s match against Norway.
Fernandes, 32, said Ronaldo’s standing in Portuguese football remained unchanged despite the dispute.
“Whatever happens, Cristiano Ronaldo will never cease to be the greatest symbol of our national team, of our football and of the country,” he said.
Ronaldo is Portugal’s record goalscorer and has been the face of the national team for more than two decades.
The circumstances surrounding his exit, however, have kept the controversy alive.
Spanish newspaper Marca reported that Jesus and Proenca rushed to Copenhagen airport in an unsuccessful attempt to convince Ronaldo to stay.
“The most important thing is that this ends well, for both sides,” Fernandes said.
He said the rest of the squad had stayed out of the dispute and urged Portuguese fans not to take sides.
Jesus also sought to shift attention to Portugal’s Nations League campaign, with the team leading Group A4 on nine points from three matches.
But he made clear that Ronaldo remained important to the national team.
“He’s a symbol of the Portuguese national team; he’s a symbol of Portugal, let that be quite clear,” Jesus said.
Jesus declined to discuss the dispute further before the Norway match.
“After the match, there’ll be time to talk about that.” Reuters
