Bruno Fernandes reveals conversation with Cristiano Ronaldo after rift with Portugal manager
Bruno Fernandes has revealed details of a conversation he had with Cristiano Ronaldo after the forward left Portugal’s camp following a rift with the side’s head coach, Jorge Jesus.
Despite Ronaldo captaining the side in Portugal’s 1-0 win over Wales on September 24, Jesus decided against fielding the five-time Ballon d’Or winner during the 2-1 away win against Norway three days later.
This resulted in Ronaldo and members of the Portuguese Football Federation holding a meeting, after which the forward did not train with the rest of the squad on Monday (September 28) or Tuesday (September 29) of this week.
What happened between Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus?
Despite the meeting, attended by Ronaldo, Jesus and FPF president Pedro Proenca, being held to supposedly clear the air, the 41-year-old later confirmed he had left the squad.
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Jesus had earlier claimed “it wasn’t the right time for Cris to come on” when asked for the reasons for Ronaldo’s omission and lack of minutes.
The coach also claimed he had already told Ronaldo he would not play against either Norway or Denmark.
“It’s true we had an agreement," he said. "I told Cris that he would not play against Norway or Denmark. I have worked with him for a year. I am completely aware of his physical capabilities and I know, because I did this in Saudi Arabia already, that when there are games every three days, Cris rarely played (in both games).
“When we had the first press conference in Portugal, he talked about that. (He said,) ‘if I start or I’m on the bench, it’s up to the coach.’ He never refused anything. It’s just that the game tells me what I have to do. We had agreed that maybe I would need him at the end of the game, but the game told me a different story and I ended up not putting him on."
Bruno Fernandes speaks out on Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Portugal camp
Now Fernandes has revealed that he has spoken with Ronaldo since the drama began.
The Manchester United skipper said: “I spoke with Cristiano Ronaldo and told him that he is and will always remain the greatest icon of our national team and our country.
“Our national team is united, not divided.
“Matters must be resolved internally and conclude well for both parties.”
He added: “We are completely outside the matter. We are aware of what you are saying and what we are seeing.
“But what I think, once again, is that the country should not divide itself, that people should not take sides, and that we should experience all of this as one. We should respect and accept all sides, but at the same time, as I said, Cris is and will always be the greatest icon of our national team, our football and also world football.”
Ronaldo’s decision has plunged his international career into doubt despite the veteran deciding to continue playing for his country after the 2026 World Cup.
What have Cristiano Ronaldo and his team-mates said about the matter?
Several other players have since addressed the saga, with Nuno Mendes and Goncalo Ramos both choosing to sidestep questions, while Renato Veiga said he had been instructed not to discuss Ronaldo.
“I'm very close to Cristiano Ronaldo and he knows I have a lot of affection for him,” the defender said.
“But I've been instructed not to talk about this. I can't talk about it.”
Ronaldo also took to social media to give his side of the story.
“After the press conference of the national team, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team training camp,” Ronaldo wrote in a statement on September 30.
“In time, I will tell all the Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that motivated me to leave the national team, to which I always devoted myself.
“Now is the time to wish Portugal and all my teammates good luck, without exception.”
Meanwhile, the FPF were also forced to issue a statement, which read: “The Portuguese Football Federation reports that Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo has left the national team’s training camp in Copenhagen.
“Preparation for the matches against Denmark and Norway, the latter to be played at the Estádio do Dragão, will continue as planned, with the remaining 24 players called up.
“The entire delegation remains completely focused on the National Team’s upcoming commitments and on achieving the defined objectives.”
Portugal return to action against Norway in Porto on Sunday (October 4).
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Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Football News
Luke Davies