Ronaldo still 'greatest symbol' of Portugal - Fernandes

What the report says

Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes has publicly defended Cristiano Ronaldo after the veteran forward left the national team camp this week when he learned he would not start against Denmark in the Nations League. Speaking at a news conference in Portugal, Fernandes said Ronaldo remains the country’s biggest footballing icon and urged supporters not to split over the issue.

The BBC reports that Ronaldo, 41, departed after coach Jorge Jesus decided he would not be in the starting lineup for the match, which Portugal won 4-2 without him. Ronaldo’s international record remains exceptional: he has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal, both national records, and played key roles in Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph and their two Nations League titles.

Fernandes said Ronaldo deserves respect for what he has done for Portugal and for football more broadly, adding that the national team should stay unified despite outside noise. Jesus, who previously coached Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, described him as a symbol of Portugal and said there would be time to discuss him after the next match. Portugal have started their group strongly and, according to the BBC, remain on course in Nations League qualifying, but Ronaldo’s longer-term international future is now uncertain.