CRISTIANO RONALDO’S is causing more unrest in the Portugal squad with his team-mates reportedly confused as to why his PERSONAL manager is at their World Cup camp.
The 37-year-old has found himself in the spotlight at Qatar, firstly for his interview with Piers Morgan, which saw him sacked by Manchester United.
And now Ronaldo has been causing issues with his international team.
He scored his side’s first goal of the tournament, but was dropped for their last-16 victory over Switzerland on Monday after sulking following his substitution against South Korea four days earlier.
According to Record, he threatened to leave the World Cup after learning that he was on the bench.
Portugal have since denied the claims in a statement.
They said: “News released this Thursday reports that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to leave the national team during a conversation with Fernando Santos, national coach.
“The FPF clarifies that at no time did the captain of the National Team, Cristiano Ronaldo, threaten to leave the national team during the internship in Qatar.
“Cristiano Ronaldo builds up a unique track record every day at the service of the national team and the country, which must be respected and which attests to the unquestionable degree of commitment to the national team.
“Incidentally, the degree of dedication of the player most capped by Portugal was again demonstrated – if necessary – in the victory against Switzerland, in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup.
“The National Team – players, coaches and FPF structure – is, as it has been since the first day, fully committed and enthusiastic in building what the Country wants to be Portugal’s best ever participation in a World Cup.”
Meanwhile, Ronaldo took to Instagram to comment on the situation.
He said: “A group too close to be broken by outside forces. A nation too brave to let itself be frightened by any adversary.
“A team in the truest sense of the word, which will fight for the dream until the end! Believe with us! Strength, Portugal!”
However, the disturbances don’t appear to have stopped there.
That’s because Record are claiming Ronaldo’s team-mates are feeling uncomfortable the ex-United star has got manager Ricky Regufe involved.
The report states that Regufe is believed to have ‘excessive influence’ surrounding Ronaldo, with ‘a number of players not understanding the reason for him joining up with the squad’.
Ronaldo will be hoping to do his talking on the pitch when Portugal face Morocco in the quarter-finals, but he’s likely to start on the bench once again after Goncalo Ramos’ hat-trick.
