Is the fire already smoldering within the Portuguese selection? In any case, the reunion did not fail to fuel controversy with, in the background, the harsh criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo towards Manchester United. Still, the handshake between CR7 and Bruno Fernandes, his club teammate, challenged.
Monday evening, the Portuguese football federation published a video from the locker room in which the attacking midfielder takes some time to shake the ladle of his captain in selection before whispering a few words in his ear. Was it the friendly repartee from Bruno Fernandes or a stronger tackle that left Cristiano Ronaldo speechless?
In any case, the sequence quickly turned on social networks. Portugal’s followers, in particular, are wondering about a cold potential between the two Mancunian stars when CR7 has just turned on its coach and some club teammates in an interview broadcast on English television on Sunday evening.
“I have no respect for him (Erik ten Hag, the coach of Manchester United) because he shows no respect for me, he blurted out on the show. Not just the coach, but a couple of other guys around the club. I feel betrayed. Yeah, I felt betrayed and I felt like some people didn’t want me here, not just this season, but last season as well. »
The Portuguese did not fail to criticize the former glories of the club such as Gary Neville or Wayne Rooney, whom he considers too critical of him. After this exit, Manchester would think of breaking the contract of the fivefold Golden Ball.
” I was only fooling “
The Portuguese media wondered if the discomfort between Ronaldo and his club had not accompanied him to the selection, where Bruno Fernandes but also Diogo Dalot, Mancunian side, evolve. In a press conference, Joao Mario was obviously questioned on the subject. He gave his version of the facts. “I was in the locker room at that time, explained the middle of Benfica. It was a joke between them. Bruno was one of the last to arrive and Cristiano asked him if he had come by boat. »
According to Mario, Bruno Fernandes and CR7 have “an excellent relationship because they play together”, there would be “no problem between them”. If the storm in the Portuguese locker room is ultimately not one, the communication from Portugal questions. Following this video, many questions targeted the Ronaldo case.
The form of the captain of the Seleção, lacking rhythm and playing time at MU, would certainly have been debated without this handshake but the Portuguese selection could have avoided additional rumours. Fernando Santos’ men start their world tournament against Ghana on November 24 (5 p.m.). Vitinha and his teammates have already trained on the field and in the gym. On Thursday, Portugal will challenge Nigeria in Lisbon in a friendly match, a last aperitif before the World Cup.
