Fernandes calls Ronaldo Portugal’s ‘greatest icon’, hopes he stays
In short
Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes described Cristiano Ronaldo as the “greatest icon” of the Portugal national team and said all disagreements in the squad must be resolved, TASS reported. In a separate report, RIA Novosti said Fernandes hopes Ronaldo will not leave the national team on emotion. Neither outlet said where or when Fernandes spoke or what the disagreements concerned.
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Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes described Cristiano Ronaldo as the “greatest icon” of the Portugal national team and said all disagreements in the squad must be resolved, TASS reported. In a separate report, RIA Novosti said Fernandes hopes Ronaldo will not leave the national team on emotion. Both reports were published by Russian state outlets in the early hours of 4 October local time, TASS first and RIA Novosti about fifty minutes later. [ 1 , 2 ]
Neither outlet said where or when Fernandes made the remarks, what the disagreements concerned, or whether Ronaldo has himself commented on his international future. The reports also carried no direct quotations from Fernandes. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The remarks touch on the two most prominent figures in the Portugal squad and on whether Ronaldo continues his international career, a question of interest beyond Portugal. Because the reports come from Russian state outlets citing no direct quotes or venue, the substance of any rift, and Ronaldo’s own intentions, remain unconfirmed.
Key facts
- Bruno Fernandes called Cristiano Ronaldo the “greatest icon” of the Portugal national team, according to TASS. [ 1 ]
- Fernandes said all disagreements in the national team must be resolved, according to TASS. [ 1 ]
- Fernandes hopes Ronaldo will not leave the national team on emotion, RIA Novosti reported. [ 2 ]
- Neither report names the venue or date of Fernandes’s comments. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Ronaldo has said anything about leaving the Portugal national team. Neither document quotes Ronaldo or says he has commented; the reports only describe Fernandes’s stated hope.
- What disagreements inside the Portugal squad the reports refer to. TASS says disagreements must be resolved but does not say what they are or who is involved.
- Where and when Fernandes made the remarks, and to whom. Both documents give only the outlets’ publication times in local time, not the setting of the comments.