Portugal’s Nations League preparations have been overshadowed by a dispute involving Cristiano Ronaldo, after former international António Simões criticised the forward over his absence from the national side.
Simões questions Ronaldo’s Portugal departure
Simões directed his criticism at Ronaldo, known in some circles as “O Bicho”, claiming that the player left the Portugal squad at the beginning of the Nations League campaign following differences with his coach.
- António Simões publicly criticised Cristiano Ronaldo.
- The dispute concerns Ronaldo’s departure from Portugal’s squad during the opening stage of the Nations League.
- Simões linked the exit to disagreements between Ronaldo and his coach.
A cloud over the Nations League start
The episode has placed the focus on Ronaldo’s relationship with the Portugal set-up at a sensitive point in the international calendar, with the Nations League beginning and the national team expected to settle quickly into its campaign.
