Bruno Fernandes has urged Cristiano Ronaldo not to make a hasty decision about his Portugal future after the veteran forward abruptly left the national team camp.
Ronaldo leaves Portugal camp
Ronaldo departed Portugal’s training camp last Wednesday following a reported disagreement with manager Jorge Jesus after being left on the bench for the clash against Norway.
His unexpected departure immediately raised questions over whether the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could bring his international career to an abrupt end.
Fernandes, who has played alongside Ronaldo for both Portugal and Manchester United, said he had spoken to the forward after his departure and urged him not to make a decision while emotions were high.
“I spoke with Cris out of respect, because I know what he means to us Portuguese and because my hope is that he doesn’t make rash decisions and want to leave the national team altogether,” Fernandes told RTP3.
“If he wants to do that, it has to be on a celebratory day, not in a way like this.”
Fernandes wants Ronaldo to receive a proper farewell
Fernandes believes Ronaldo deserves to decide when and how his Portugal career ends because of his enormous contribution to the national team and Portuguese football.
“He deserves it; he’s the greatest icon of our football and of our country, someone who took the country’s name to a place and level it had never been before, with all due respect to Eusébio and Luís Figo,” Fernandes said.
The Manchester United midfielder added that Ronaldo’s departure should not become a source of division among supporters or within the national team.
“If Ronaldo ever has to leave the national team, it has to be on a celebratory day, not on a day when the country is divided,” Fernandes added.
“Being in the national team has to be a place for everyone and a place for all, where these kinds of divisions don’t exist.”
Fernandes subsequently took over the captaincy following Ronaldo’s departure and helped Portugal beat Denmark 4-2.
Ronaldo exit divides Portugal
The situation has already created mixed reactions in Portugal, with supporters divided over Ronaldo’s decision to leave camp and Jesus’ handling of the situation.
Some fans have backed Ronaldo, while others have supported the manager. Billboards supporting the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star have also appeared in Portugal.
Jesus, meanwhile, has maintained his position and insisted that no player can pressure him into making decisions.
Fernandes called for the controversy to be resolved internally and urged supporters not to allow the disagreement to divide the country.
“The most important thing is that, regardless of what happens, Cris will never cease to be the greatest symbol of our national team, our football and surely, of our country, not only for what he did not only in Portugal but all over the world,” Fernandes said.
“He has a reserved place not only among the best of all time, but also in the hearts of the Portuguese people.”
Fernandes calls for unity
The Portugal captain stressed that the national team needed to remain united despite the growing attention surrounding Ronaldo’s departure.
“And I think what’s most important now is to stop dividing the waters because there are no divisions here in the national team. The national team is one and it will continue to be one,” he added.
Fernandes also asked supporters to respect everyone involved rather than taking sides in the dispute.
“We are outside of this controversy, but what I ask is that the country does not divide itself, does not take sides, that it respects all sides,” Fernandes said.
“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 [who likes him] less.”
What next for Ronaldo?
Portugal will now turn its attention to the remainder of the international campaign, but Ronaldo’s future with the national team is likely to remain a major talking point.
The forward’s absence has already forced Fernandes into the captaincy role, while Portugal have continued their campaign without their most recognisable player.
Ronaldo’s next international call-up will therefore attract significant attention when Portugal reconvene in November.
For Fernandes, however, the message is clear: if Ronaldo eventually decides to end his Portugal career, it should happen on his own terms and with the celebration his contribution to the national team deserves.
