Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes has expressed his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, describing him as the country's greatest footballing symbol. Fernandes made these comments during a news conference on Saturday, following Ronaldo's departure from the squad due to not being selected to start against Denmark in the Nations League. Ronaldo, 41, has an impressive record with Portugal, scoring 146 goals from 234 matches, and helping the team win Euro 2016 and the Nations League twice.
Fernandes emphasized that Ronaldo's legacy with Portugal will endure, regardless of his current situation. He stated that Ronaldo will always be remembered as the greatest symbol of Portuguese football, not only for his achievements on the pitch but also for his impact on the country's footballing identity. Fernandes also appealed for unity, urging the country not to divide itself over the controversy surrounding Ronaldo's departure from the squad.
Ronaldo's international future is currently uncertain, following his departure from the squad. Coach Jorge Jesus had informed him that he would not start against Denmark, a match that Portugal won 4-2 without him. Jesus described Ronaldo as a "symbol of Portugal" and stated that there would be time to discuss his situation after Sunday's game against Norway.
Fernandes' comments come after a tumultuous period for Ronaldo, who left the squad before the Denmark game. He had played 67 minutes in Portugal's 1-0 home win over Wales and was an unused substitute in the 2-1 away victory over Norway. Ronaldo's situation has sparked debate, with some questioning his continued relevance to the team.
Despite the controversy, Fernandes emphasized that there are no divisions within the national team. He appealed for respect for Ronaldo, who he described as the biggest icon of the national team. Fernandes also stressed the importance of unity, urging the country not to make choices or divide itself over the issue.
Portugal are currently top of Group A4 with nine points from three matches, and will face Norway at home on Sunday. They will conclude the group phase next month, with matches against Denmark and Wales. If they finish in the top two, they will qualify for the quarter-finals in March, with the semi-finals and final scheduled for June.
Coach Jorge Jesus is focused on the upcoming game against Norway, one of the top teams in Europe. He described the match as a significant challenge and emphasized the need for the team to perform well. Jesus also acknowledged Ronaldo's importance to the team, stating that there would be time to discuss his situation in the future.
Key points
- Cristiano Ronaldo is Portugal's all-time leading scorer with 146 goals from 234 matches.
- Ronaldo has helped Portugal win Euro 2016 and the Nations League twice.
- Bruno Fernandes has expressed his admiration for Ronaldo, describing him as the country's greatest footballing symbol.
