Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister takes swipe at Bruno Fernandes
Image Credits: Imago Images
Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo both endured a frustrating start to the 2026 World Cup.
Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their opening group-stage fixture.
Despite entering the tournament with high expectations, Roberto Martinez’s side failed to turn their dominance into three points.
Ronaldo was unable to register a shot on target, while Fernandes struggled to influence proceedings from midfield as Portugal dropped points against the African nation.
The result came as a surprise given the quality available to Portugal, particularly after Fernandes enjoyed one of the best individual campaigns of his career at club level.
The Manchester United captain broke the Premier League’s all-time single-season assist record during the 2025/26 campaign, registering 21 assists.
However, criticism quickly followed Portugal’s disappointing World Cup opener, and Fernandes has now found himself at the centre of an unexpected social media controversy.
According to the Daily Mirror, Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro appeared to endorse criticism aimed at the United midfielder following the draw.
The report states that Katia liked an Instagram post from a Brazilian football page discussing Fernandes’ performance against DR Congo.
The post featured an image of the Manchester United star and included a critical assessment of his display, comparing him to Barcelona winger Raphinha and suggesting he had failed to make the desired impact for Portugal.
Bruno Fernandes was not the only player to come under scrutiny after the match.
Ronaldo himself faced criticism from supporters and pundits after recording just 25 touches throughout the contest.
Portugal manager Martinez later defended his captain, insisting that Ronaldo’s movement and ability to attract defenders remained valuable when chasing a winning goal.
Portugal will now look to bounce back in their second World Cup fixture against Uzbekistan, with Fernandes and Ronaldo both hoping to deliver improved performances as they attempt to guide their country into the knockout stages.
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