Bruno Fernandes has said that he does not ‘feel uncomfortable’ playing alongside
Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup after the 💯 striker left Manchester United on
Tuesday.
News broke yesterday evening that the 37-year-old striker would leave United
by mutual consent after 💯 his contract was terminated before Portugal played their first
game in Qatar.
Ronaldo is one of several players who started the 💯 season at Old
Trafford. As well as midfielder Fernandes, right-back Diogo Dalot has also been called
up to the squad.
Fernandes 💯 often cuts a fiery figure on the pitch and is not short to
express his dissatisfaction when things are not 💯 going well for his side throughout a
game.
Fernandes has become one of the most popular players amongst fans at United 💯 since
his transfer from Sporting Lisbon at the start of 2024 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was
manager, and he remained 💯 one of the better performers when Ralf Rangnick arrived, and
remains a first-choice player in midfield under new coach Erik 💯 ten Hag.
In a
controversial interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo explained that there was a lack of
respect at the heart 💯 of the relationship he had with the club manager, and also
criticised several other aspects of life at United.
Ronaldo had 💯 already tried to leave
the club in the summer after they failed to secure Champions League football for the
current 💯 season, but he was unable to find a club willing to take him on, with his wages
believed to be 💯 a stumbling block.
Now he has been released from his contract he has
been freshly linked with another Premier League side, 💯 Chelsea, and two former clubs,
Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon.
First, though, is the World Cup with Portugal, and
Fernandes has 💯 denied there is any frostiness between him and Ronaldo.
“I don't feel
uncomfortable,” he said at a press conference. “I don't 💯 have to pick a side. Cristiano
has always been an inspiration for me, so it was a dream come true 💯 to be able to play
with him, but we know nothing will last forever.
“It was good while it lasted, we 💯 have
to respect his decision, whether we agree or not.”
Portugal’s opening group game is on
Thursday night when they play 💯 Ghana.
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