Portugal’s Team Won’t Be Affected by The Man Utd Dispute – Ronaldo

As Portugal gets ready for its opening World Cup encounter against Ghana in Qatar, Cristiano Ronaldo said on Monday that his heated spat with Manchester United will not have an effect on Portugal’s chances at the tournament.

After being reduced to a supporting role this season, superstar Ronaldo lashed out last week at Premier League club United and the team’s coach Erik ten Hag in a TV interview.

“I have no doubt that this recent episode, that interview, and other episodes with other players that happen sometimes, can sometimes shake the player but won’t shake the team,” Ronaldo said at a press conference at the Portugal camp

Ronaldo was suspended for the Premier League team’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea after refusing to make a substitute appearance against Tottenham last month. Ronaldo is ready to play his fifth and presumably last World Cup.

The 37-year-old said in the interview that Ten Hag “provoked” him into having that reaction, but he remained unapologetic about conducting the interview on Monday.

“I don’t have to worry about what others think, I talk when I want to,” he said.

“Everybody in the team knows who I am, what I believe in.”

Ronaldo said that the media had exaggerated his tense exchange with his teammate for both club and country, Bruno Fernandes, as well as pictures of him grabbing Joao Cancelo of Manchester City by the head.

Channels Television
Updated November 21, 2022

In this file photo, Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo gestures during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group F football match between Portugal and France at Puskas Arena in Budapest on June 23, 2021. (Photo by BERNADETT SZABO / POOL / AFP)

Cristiano Ronaldo insisted Monday that his explosive row with Manchester United would not impact Portugal’s chances at the World Cup as they prepare for their opening match in Qatar with Ghana.

Last week superstar Ronaldo lashed out at Premier League club United and the team’s coach Erik ten Hag in a TV interview after being relegated to a peripheral role this season.

“I have no doubt that this recent episode, that interview, and other episodes with other players that happen sometimes, can sometimes shake the player but won’t shake the team,” Ronaldo said at a press conference at the Portugal camp.

Ronaldo, who is set to start his fifth and likely final World Cup, was suspended for the Premier League club’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea after refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham last month.

The 37-year-old claimed during the interview that he felt “provoked” into that reaction by Ten Hag and on Monday was unrepentant about giving the interview.

“I don’t have to worry about what others think, I talk when I want to,” he said.

“Everybody in the team knows who I am, what I believe in.”

Ronaldo said frosty interaction with his team-mate for club and country Bruno Fernandes, along with images of him grabbing Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo by the head, had been being overblown by the media.

“In these final stages of competitions there’s always those type of moments,” said Ronaldo.

“We were just playing around, I have a great relationship with him. I was asking him, because his plane was late, I asked him if he came by boat.

“The same thing happened with Cancelo, he was a bit sad during training and I grabbed him by the neck and told him ‘Come on, you’ve got this’, that’s what I said. And then it became another controversy at your end.

“The whole atmosphere is excellent, it’s bulletproof and iron clad. The next player who comes here, you don’t have to ask about that, don’t talk about me, you don’t have to talk about Cristiano Ronaldo… help them out, ask them about the World Cup.”

Portugal open their Group H campaign against Ghana on Thursday before facing Uruguay and South Korea.

After missing a friendly with a stomach bug last week, Ronaldo says he is in perfect shape to play.

“I feel great, I have recovered my best shape, we’ve had good training sessions, the team and myself, I’m ready to start the World Cup in the best possible way,” Ronaldo added.