Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United did not go as planned in 2021, but Bruno Fernandes has revealed an interesting theory about his Portugal teammate.
The biggest shock of the 2021 summer transfer window saw Cristiano Ronaldo return to Manchester United and score on his homecoming against Newcastle. It has since emerged that United signed Ronaldo to prevent a deal with Man City.
A dream start rapidly descended into a public and bitter fallout. Ronaldo provided moments of individual brilliance and was United’s top scorer in the 2021/22 season, but it coincided with an explosive interview that saw the five-time Ballon d’Or winner slate Ralf Rangnick, Erik ten Hag and the board for allowing standards to slip at Old Trafford.
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Cristiano Ronaldo 2021/22 graphic
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Perhaps the biggest issue for Ronaldo came with Ten Hag, who eventually manoeuvred the Portuguese superstar out of the team. This wasn’t the same Ronaldo that helped guide United to European glory in 2008, but three years on, and he’s preparing to compete in what will be his final World Cup.
Ronaldo, 40, remains a key player for Portugal despite spending the latter years of his career playing in Saudi Arabia. That doesn’t mean his place in the Portugal national team hasn’t come under question.
Cristiano Ronaldo warming up against Al Wahda
Photo by Waleed Zein/Anadolu via Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes defends Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in Portugal team
Although Ronaldo left Old Trafford for a second time in 2022, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot remain his teammates in the Portugal national team.
All three players are fully expected to make Roberto Martinez’s squad for the World Cup next summer, with Ronaldo’s role in the team subject to questioning from the Portuguese press.
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It has been argued that Portugal performed better without Ronaldo against Armenia in last month’s final World Cup qualifier, to secure a place at the prestigious tournament.
Portugal may have beaten Armenia 9-1, but Fernandes is not convinced that they are stronger without the former United star.
“Cristiano inside the box continues to be a very high-level player,” Fernandes told Canal 11, as translated by ESPN.
“He draws defenders and creates space for other players. If Cristiano doesn’t play and Goncalo [Ramos] does, Goncalo is strong in press and good at diagonal runs.
“When I’m not playing and Bernardo [Silva] is playing as a number 10, Bernardo gives you more possession, I make more of a final pass. It’s all like that. All players add things and take away others. Cristiano is the same as us. We have to know how to adapt and enhance each other’s qualities so that the national team benefits.”
Gary Lineker with the biggest praise of all for Man Utd legend Cristiano Ronaldo! 🐐🔥
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Ronaldo has more goals on the international stage than any other player in history, scoring 143 times in 226 appearances for Portugal since making his debut in 2003.
Fernandes continued his defence by stating that if a team doesn’t perform with Ronaldo in it, it’s down to the players surrounding him for underperforming and not taking advantage of their best player’s presence on the pitch.
After playing in a struggling team with Ronaldo in it at United, Fernandes is talking from experience, but the masses will still need some convincing.
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Ronaldo initially left United in 2009 to sign for Real Madrid.
The world beater went on to score a club record of 59 goals in a calendar year in 2013, but that tally is now under threat.
Kylian Mbappe scored a brace in the Copa Del Rey on Wednesday night to put him on 58 goals for the year.
Madrid play their final game of 2025 on Saturday when they travel to Sevilla.
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