Ronaldo future with Portugal in doubt after camp exit as Fernandes urges proper farewell

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal future has been thrown into doubt after he left the national-team camp before the Denmark match, intensifying debate over how his international career might end.

Bruno Fernandes said Ronaldo merits a different goodbye: "If Cris wants to end his career with the national team, then he should do so with a big celebration - and not in this way. Because he deserves that and that is what he is worth. After all, he is the greatest icon of our football and of our country," he told B24.

Ronaldo departed on Wednesday ahead of the 4-2 win in Denmark and missed the Nations League fixture. Soon after, he said in an Instagram post that he would explain the "truth about the reasons for my departure from the national team" "at the appropriate time", adding that he had "always devoted myself with all my strength" to Portugal.

The following day, his number seven shirt passed to Rafael Leao. Reaction from his inner circle was sharp, with sister Elma Aveiro criticising Jorge Jesus and presenter Piers Morgan calling the 72-year-old coach an "arrogant arsehole".

There are now signs of possible rapprochement. A Bola reports that a "peace summit" is being explored, with Jesus accepting a mediation attempt by the Portuguese federation. Before Sunday’s home game against Norway in Porto, Jesus said it was not about ignoring Ronaldo, called him a symbol of Portugal, and added there would be time to talk after the match.

Source: Goal.com

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