Bruno Fernandes Warns of "Something Dangerous" After Ronaldo's Crisis with the National Team.. What Is It?

- Player Bruno Fernandes warned of the "division of the Portuguese people" following his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo's withdrawal from the national team camp. Ronaldo left the camp last Wednesday amid allegations of a disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus over his lack of playing time in matches.

After his departure, the 41-year-old said on his Instagram account: "After the press conference of the national team coach (Jorge Jesus) and after a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation (Pedro Proença), I made the decision to leave the national team camp." He added: "In due time, I will tell the Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to my departure from the national team, which I have always been committed to."

He continued: "Now it is time for me to wish good luck to Portugal and all my teammates without exception." On Saturday, during a press conference, Bruno was asked to comment on Cristiano's withdrawal, to which he replied: "As for Chris, I had a conversation with him and I think what I told him, and what I will repeat here, is that the most important thing of all, no matter what happens, Chris will always and forever be the greatest symbol of our national team."

"Certainly, the greatest symbol of our country for everything he has done, not only in Portugal but around the world." He continued: "I believe he definitely has a reserved place for him, not only among the greats of history but in the hearts of all the Portuguese people, and I think the most important thing now is to stop creating divisions, because there are no divisions within the national team; the team is one and will always remain united."

Bruno Fernandes clarified: "We are far from all the controversy surrounding this issue, but what I ask again is that the country does not divide, does not take sides, and experiences all this as one entity, respecting and accepting all viewpoints." He concluded: "But at the same time, as I said, Chris is, and will always be, the greatest symbol of our national team, of our football, and of world football, and he deserves the respect of all the Portuguese people, regardless of who loves him more or less."

Bruno played alongside Ronaldo for the Portugal national team, and they also played together for Manchester United between 2021 and 2022.