Former Manchester United team-mates Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo are hoping to help Portugal to World Cup glory
Bruno Fernandes praised his experience playing with Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United as a “dream come true” after the five-time Ballon d’Or winner left the club by mutual consent.
Ronaldo’s United departure appeared inevitable after he delivered a stunning interview to Piers Morgan, in which he said the club had “betrayed” him and declared he did not respect manager Erik ten Hag.
Having promised to taking “necessary steps” against Ronaldo, United said on Tuesday they have terminated connections with the forward with immediate effect.
As Fernandes prepares to pair up with Ronaldo for Portugal’s World Cup opener against Ghana on Thursday, the offensive midfielder stated he will treasure their time spent together at Old Trafford.
Asked whether speculation over Ronaldo’s future had influenced him, Fernandes said: “I don’t feel uncomfortable. I don’t have to select a side. It was a luxury, to play at the club alongside Cristiano was a dream.
“Cristiano has always been an inspiration for me, so it was a dream come true to be able to play alongside him at the club, but we know that nothing lasts forever.
“It was amazing for me and good while it lasted. Cristiano took a different decision for his life and his decision has to be honored, despite of us agreeing or not.
“We are athletes, but we’re also parents, brothers, we know it could be difficult to accept these decisions but they have to be for the wellness of ourselves and our families.”
Fernandes also says he has not discussed Ronaldo’s next actions with him, adding: “Cristiano hasn’t discussed with me, it’s his decision, a personal decision and it should apply to him and his family, that’s for sure.
“We haven’t discussed the matter, we are focused on the national team, the World Cup. You know how crucial playing for the national team is for Cristiano.
“That’s a dream for a player, winning the World Cup, and it’s a competition where every player wants to play.
“Our attention is 100 per cent on the national team, we are aware of what we have to do. I don’t believe that anything he’s done or decided will have any impact on the national team.”
Last week, onlookers claimed that an awkward handshake between Ronaldo and Fernandes suggested animosity between the couple, however Joao Mario later insisted it was the result of a joke after Fernandes came late for Portugal’s pre-tournament training.
Fernandes echoed Joao Mario’s statement on Wednesday, adding: “It was a joke. When you take regular flights – these things happen!
“I wasn’t anxious about knowing his future at that point. If it weren’t for this news, something else would happen.
“When you have to talk, you talk about people who make the most noise, and Cristiano is the one who makes the most noise in the world of football.”
Ghana coach Otto Addo, meanwhile, was in no mood to let Ronaldo’s United exit to overshadow his own team’s World Cup preparations.
“I don’t know and I honestly don’t care. It’s not our problem,” Addo stated when questioned about Ronaldo. “I don’t think that will be a distraction. Everyone wants to win, it’s a big game, it’s the World Cup.”
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