Bruno Fernandes has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as the ‘greatest symbol of our national team and country’ despite the veteran forward walking out of Portugal’s camp during the current international break.
The 41-year-old left his international teammates on Wednesday after being told he would not start in the Nations League clash with Denmark.
Ronaldo started in the win over Wales on September 24, but was an unused substitute against Norway last week and his departure came after manager Jorge Jesus told him he would not be in the starting XI in the next match against the Danes.
Portugal beat Denmark 4-2 in his absence and are preparing to take on Norway again on Sunday.
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Fernandes says he has spoken to his fellow Manchester United icon in a bid to maintain unity and harmony despite Ronaldo’s controversial exit from camp.
‘Regarding Cristiano, I had a conversation with him,’ Fernandes told a press conference on Saturday. ‘What I told him, and what I repeat here, is this – the most important thing is that, regardless of what happens, Cristiano Ronaldo will never cease to be the greatest symbol of our national team, of our football, and of the country, for what he has done not only in Portugal but throughout the world.
‘He has a reserved place not only among the best of all time, but also in the hearts of all Portuguese people, and the most important thing is that we stop dividing things. There are no divisions in the national team, it is one and will remain so, despite any noise that may come from outside.
‘We are outside of this controversy, but what I ask is that the country does not divide itself, does not make choices, that it respects all sides. At the same time, Cris is and will be the biggest icon of our national team, he deserves everyone’s respect, regardless of who likes him more or less.’
Ronaldo has not offered much of an explanation for his exit, but said he would reveal ‘the truth’ of the matter.
‘After the national team coach’s press conference, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team training camp,’ Ronaldo wrote on Instagram on Wednesday.
‘In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself.
‘Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates.’
72-year-old Jesus, who managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr before taking the Portugal job this year, has tried to downplay the issue, saying: ‘There was no incident whatsoever.
‘Any player – and I was a player myself – when you spend 20 or 30 minutes warming up and then don’t get on, no-one is happy about that.’
He added: ‘If I need [Ronaldo], he’ll come on. If I don’t need him, he won’t.’
With three straight wins, Jesus can be vindicated in his decision and he is looking for a fourth on the spin on Sunday.
‘I’m going to focus on the team, on the opponent which is Norway, one of the five best teams in Europe. That’s the problem right now,’ he said.
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