Portugal playmaker, Bruno Fernandes, has insisted he will not “pick a side” after his team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract was terminated at Manchester United.
Fernandes is part of the Portugal squad at the World Cup in Qatar along with Ronaldo.
But said he has no ill-feeling towards the 37-year-old despite his explosive comments.
“I don’t feel uncomfortable, and I don’t have to pick a side,” Fernandes told a news conference on Wednesday.
“It was a privilege to play with Cristiano at the club, a dream and I’ve always said that. Cristiano has always been an inspiration for me. It was a dream come true to be able to play with Cristiano, it was great for me and good while it lasted. Cristiano took a different decision for his life, his career and we have to respect such decisions. Every decision has to be respected.”
Fernandes was asked to explain a video that appeared online in the days after Ronaldo’s interview which appeared to show an awkward exchange between the pair. It led to speculation that the interview had not gone down well in the United dressing room, but Fernandes said that was not the case.
“I was on a plane for two hours so I was not in the same mood and he made a joke,” Fernandes said.
“He has his plane, he has this possibility and I wasn’t able to join him. When we have that possibility there are delays and such things. He could laugh, I couldn’t.
“We know these issues can affect individual players but Cristiano could have been worried at a specific moment but we know what the World Cup means for Cristiano. I’m sure his focus has always been there.”
