Portugal Player Explains What Ronaldo Snub Was Really About

Speaking at Portugal's World Cup conference today, Benfica midfielder João Mário cleared up speculation over footage showing Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.

The footage shows Fernandes walking past Ronaldo in the team dressing room. Fernandes appears to ignore his teammates outstretched hand and walks away.

Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo at the Portugal national team 😬

via @LuigiDamiao pic.twitter.com/LcpNuXqc92

— utdreport (@utdreport) November 14, 2022

There has been speculation that the two Manchester United teammates have fallen out over Ronaldo's interview with Piers Morgan, in which he criticises various people at the club.

It Was A Joke

However, Ronaldo's and Fernandes Portuguese teammate Mário says that it was just a joke between the two United players. According to him, Fernandes arrived late, and Ronaldo jokingly asked did he arrive by boat?

I was there for the handshake and saw everything. It was a funny moment that was misinterpreted on the outside. Bruno was late, one of the last to arrive and Cristiano asked him had he came by boat?!

The Benfica midfielder also insists that there is no problem between them and they get along great.

I believe they have a great relationship because they play together. I saw them yesterday all day, there is no problem between them.

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Mário's explanation seems to make sense, as if you slow down the video shortly after a staff member walks by, you can see them briefly shake hands.

Explosive Interview

Speculation over the two teammates friendliness towards each other would of course not have happened because of the interview. Shortly after United's win against Fulham on Sunday, Piers Morgan announced that he had an explosive interview with the 5-time Balon D'or winner. In clips released on social media, Ronaldo made many comments about past and current people at the club. The full interview will be aired on Wednesday and on Thursday.

Weird Interaction With Cancelo

With the speculation ended over his interaction with Fernandes, a new one has started today. In a clip of Portugal's training, Ronaldo approaches Manchester City's João Cancelo and grabs him behind the neck. He then puts both his hands on Cancelo's head and starts talking to him. However, his teammate appears to be having none of it and angrily walks away.

Joao Cancelo wants nothing to do with Cristiano Ronaldo 😭pic.twitter.com/9LQMPAYWxK

— ⁹ (@ErlingRoIe) November 15, 2022

Last World Cup?

Portugal fans, meanwhile, will be glad two of their main players have not fallen out ahead of the World Cup. They are in a group with Ghana, South Korea and Uruguay and began the campaign against Ghana on November the 24th. At the age of 37, this is likely the last World Cup Ronaldo will play in. With his relationship with his club destroyed, he'll be hoping to use the tournament as an audition to play for a new club after it's finished.