Bruno Fernandes has insisted that it will not be ‘uncomfortable’ playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup, despite his team-mate’s departure from Manchester United.
Ronaldo hit out at United in a recent bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, labelling the Red Devils a ‘marketing club’, while he also admitted he has ‘no respect’ for manager Erik Ten Hag.
These revelations have led to Ronaldo and United going their separate ways, with the club confirming their star striker’s contract had been terminated with immediate effect on Tuesday evening.
This announcement came less than two days before Portugal get their World Cup campaign underway against Ghana, but Fernandes is adamant that Ronaldo’s exit won’t affect morale within the national team squad.
‘No, Cris hasn’t discussed with me,’ Fernandes said at Portugal’s press conference when asked if Ronaldo spoke to him about leaving United.
‘It is his decision. We’re all focused on the national team and the World Cup.
‘We are in the championship that is the dream of every player. Our focus is 100% on the national team and we are all aware of what we have to do.’
Ronaldo and Fernandes have played alongside each other at domestic and international level for the past 15 months, but the former is now looking for his next club.
Fernandes has said it was a ‘dream come true’ for him to play with Ronaldo at Old Trafford, but that he respects the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s decision to look for a new challenge, and expects him to be fully focused on trying to lead Portugal to World Cup glory.
‘I don’t feel uncomfortable (playing with Ronaldo now),’ Fernandes added.
‘It was a privilege to play with Cristiano Ronaldo at the national team. It was a dream come true to be playing with Cristiano at the club, but nothing lasts forever.
‘And now Cristiano has taken a decision for his life, and we have to respect his decision as players.
‘We know what the World Cup means to Cristiano Ronaldo, and I’m sure his focus has always been for that.’