At Porto’s Do Dragão, where Portugal will meet Norway on Sunday, Bruno Fernandes appealed for calm around Cristiano Ronaldo’s sudden departure from the national camp. The Manchester United midfielder said the country should not turn an internal dispute into a wider split.
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Fernandes called on Portuguese supporters not to choose sides after Ronaldo left the squad on Wednesday following disagreements with new head coach Jorge Jesus.
“I ask the country not to divide itself, not to take sides, but to experience this together and to respect and accept everyone involved,” Fernandes said at his pre-match press conference.
He confirmed that he had spoken to Ronaldo after the captain’s exit, telling him that whatever happens, he remains Portugal’s greatest symbol. Fernandes said Ronaldo’s standing comes from everything he has achieved for the national team, Portuguese football and the country’s image around the world.
“Cris will always be the biggest icon of our team and of world football,” Fernandes said. “He deserves the respect of every Portuguese person, regardless of who people may prefer.”
The midfielder insisted that the squad is not involved in the dispute and that its responsibility is to deliver on the pitch. In his view, national-team matters should be settled privately, away from outside noise.
“The national side is one unit and will remain that way,” he said. “Every family should deal with its own issues behind closed doors.”
Sunday in Porto
Portugal face Norway in the Nations League group stage, needing only a draw to secure a place in the quarter-finals of a competition they won in its previous edition.
Ronaldo will not be available. His departure followed his omission from the side for Portugal’s 1-2 meeting with Norway in Oslo on 27 September, a selection decision that sharpened tensions with Jesus.
