Fernandes calls for Portugal unity after Ronaldo leaves squad

Bruno Fernandes said he had spoken to Cristiano Ronaldo and rejected suggestions of divisions within Portugal's national team after the forward left their Nations League camp. Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, the Manchester United midfielder called for respect for Ronaldo and urged supporters not to take sides in the dispute, BBC Sport reported.

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Ronaldo departed before Portugal's match against Denmark in Copenhagen following discussions with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca, according to The Irish News. The forward said in an Instagram post that he would explain the reasons for his decision to the Portuguese public at a later stage. His departure does not establish that his international career is over.

Fernandes said the players' responsibility was to produce results and that the wider issue should be settled privately by those involved. The Irish News reported his view that all sides could reach a satisfactory resolution. He also stressed that Ronaldo's standing in Portuguese football would endure regardless of the outcome, separating the forward's achievements from the current disagreement.

BBC Sport reported that Ronaldo left after coach Jorge Jesus informed him he would not start against Denmark. Portugal won that match 4-2 without the 41-year-old. His involvement had already changed during the campaign: he played the first 67 minutes of the opening 1-0 victory over Wales, then remained an unused substitute in the 2-1 win away to Norway.

Ronaldo's Portugal record stands at 146 goals in 234 appearances, both national-team records, according to the BBC. He helped the country win Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles. The most recent came in 2025, when Portugal beat Spain on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the final, with Ronaldo scoring one of Portugal's goals.

Jesus also addressed the situation at his news conference, placing the team's immediate work ahead of further discussion of Ronaldo. According to The Irish News, the coach said there would be time to return to the subject after Sunday's home match against Norway in Porto. Portugal enter that fixture having won their opening three Group A4 matches.