Fernandes calls Ronaldo Portugal’s ‘greatest symbol’ and urges unity after squad walkout

Bruno Fernandes stated that Cristiano Ronaldo remains Portugal's greatest football icon despite leaving the squad after being told he wouldn't start against Denmark.

Fernandes called for unity among Portuguese fans and emphasized Ronaldo's symbolic importance to the national team and the nation.

Portugal defeated Norway and Denmark despite Ronaldo's absence, with Coach Jorge Jesus stressing the current focus is on the team and upcoming matches.

PORTO (Portugal), Oct 4 — Portugal playmaker Bruno Fernandes said Cristiano Ronaldo remains the country’s greatest footballing icon despite walking out on the squad this week after finding out he would not start a match.

The 41-year-old superstar said Wednesday he had left the team after coach Jorge Jesus said Ronaldo would not start against Denmark in the Nations League, a match Portugal won 4-2 without him.

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United attacker Ronaldo’s future with the national team, for whom he is the leading goalscorer and most capped player, is in doubt after his walk out.

“Regarding Cristiano, I had a conversation with him, and what I told him, and what I repeat here, is this — the most important thing is that, regardless of what happens, Cristiano Ronaldo will never cease to be the greatest symbol of our national team, of our football, and of the country, for what he has done not only in Portugal but throughout the world,” Fernandes told reporters yesterday.

Manchester United midfielder Fernandes called for unity after a tumultuous few days in which Portugal fans’ opinions have been split over Ronaldo’s decision.

“He has a reserved place not only among the best of all time, but also in the hearts of all Portuguese people, and the most important thing is that we stop dividing things,” said Fernandes.

“There are no divisions in the national team, it is one and will remain so, despite any noise that may come from outside...

“We are outside of this controversy, but what I ask is that the country does not divide itself, does not make choices, that it respects all sides, but, at the same time, Cris is and will be the biggest icon of our national team, he deserves everyone’s respect, regardless of who likes him more or (who likes him) less.”

Portugal beat Norway and Denmark away from home without Ronaldo starting and face Norway again today.

Coach Jesus said Ronaldo was a “symbol of Portugal” and said there would be time to speak about him after today’s game in Porto.

“I’m going to focus on the team, on the opponent which is Norway, one of the five best teams in Europe. That’s the problem right now,” said the 72-year-old coach. — AFP

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布鲁诺·费尔南德斯表示，尽管克里斯蒂亚诺·罗纳尔多在被告知不会在对阵丹麦的比赛中首发后离开了国家队，但他仍然是葡萄牙最伟大的足球偶像。

费尔南德斯呼吁葡萄牙球迷团结一致，并强调了罗纳尔多对国家队和国家的象征意义。

尽管罗纳尔多缺席，葡萄牙队仍然战胜了挪威和丹麦。主教练豪尔赫·热苏斯强调，目前的重点是球队和即将到来的比赛。

葡萄牙波尔图，10 月 4 日——葡萄牙中场核心布鲁诺·费尔南德斯表示，尽管克里斯蒂亚诺·罗纳尔多在本周得知自己不会首发后退出了国家队，但他仍然是该国最伟大的足球偶像。

这位 41 岁的超级巨星周三表示，在主教练豪尔赫·热苏斯表示罗纳尔多不会在欧国联对阵丹麦的比赛中首发后，他已经离开了球队。葡萄牙队在没有罗纳尔多的情况下以 4-2 赢得了那场比赛。

前皇家马德里和曼联攻击手罗纳尔多是国家队历史最佳射手和出场次数最多的球员，他的国家队生涯前景堪忧，此前他曾退出国家队。

“关于克里斯蒂亚诺，我和他谈过，我告诉他的，也是我在这里重申的，是——最重要的是，无论发生什么，克里斯蒂亚诺·罗纳尔多将永远是我们国家队、我们足球和我们国家最伟大的象征，因为他不仅在葡萄牙，而且在全世界都做出了巨大的贡献，”费尔南德斯昨天告诉记者。

在葡萄牙球迷对罗纳尔多的决定意见分歧，经历了动荡的几天后，曼联中场费尔南德斯呼吁团结。

费尔南德斯说：“他不仅在有史以来最伟大的球员中占有一席之地，而且在所有葡萄牙人民心中也占有一席之地，最重要的是我们停止分裂。”

“国家队内部没有分裂，它是一个整体，而且无论外界发出什么噪音，它都将保持团结……”

“我们置身于这场争议之外，但我请求的是国家不要分裂，不要做出选择，要尊重各方，但与此同时，克里斯现在是并将永远是我们国家队的最大偶像，他值得所有人的尊重，无论谁更喜欢他还是不喜欢他。”

葡萄牙在没有C罗首发的情况下客场战胜了挪威和丹麦，今天将再次迎战挪威。

热苏斯教练表示，罗纳尔多是“葡萄牙的象征”，并表示在今天波尔图的比赛结束后会有时间谈论他。

“我会专注于球队，专注于对手挪威队，他们是欧洲五强之一。这就是我们现在面临的问题，”这位72岁的老教练说道。——法新社

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