Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has broken his silence on teammate Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan and the ‘frosty’ reception between the two of them earlier this week.
Ronaldo, along with Fernandes, is currently with the Portuguese national team gearing up for the start of their World Cup campaign next week.
The duo were involved in what appeared to be an awkward moment when the latter walked into the team’s dressing room earlier this week.
Fernandes appeared reluctant to speak to his United compatriot, sparking suggestions that he was furious with the 37-year-old’s interview.
However, the attacking-midfielder has rubbished suggestions that he has an issue with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, insisting that he has not read his interview with Morgan.
“I didn’t read the interview so I am OK with that,” Fernandes told Sky Sports, speaking after Portugal’s 4-0 win over Nigeria in their final warm-up match ahead of the World Cup on Thursday evening. “As I said before, now is about the national team with Portugal.
“I said to him [Ronaldo] that the coach made a point that it is ‘us’. He has made that point since I came into the national team in 2017, I think, and that is still clear in his mind, that the main thing here is the national team and us. We have to be focused on the World Cup because the World Cup doesn’t come around many times.
“Cristiano is lucky to play in one [a World Cup] five times. This [upcoming tournament] will be his fifth time in the World Cup, so everyone is ready for that and everyone wants to give their best for the team.”
On the suggested “frosty” meeting with Ronaldo on international duty, Fernandes continued: “They put the sound [on the TV] after. Did you hear it with the sound? In Portugal we have a problem [with that].
“I was watching on one of the channels that was talking about that, saying it was ‘cold’ and ‘bad’ for 45 minutes. All of a sudden, they went to a break and the sound came on it and said that he was joking with me.
“They came back and said there was a joke, and then cut it there. If they go back they will see that there was a problem. But if they tell the truth and explain what was in that video, people will know.
“As I said, this is the national team and Manchester United will be my focus after the World Cup, after December 18, because that is the final.”
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
