Bruno Fernandes has thrown his support behind Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting that the veteran forward remains the biggest symbol of Portugal despite the controversy surrounding his latest departure from the national team.
Ronaldo, 41, left Portugal’s camp earlier this week after being informed by coach Jorge Jesus that he would not start the Nations League match against Denmark.
Portugal went on to win the game 4-2 without their captain, raising further questions about Ronaldo’s future with the national team.
Speaking at a Portugal news conference on Saturday, Fernandes said he had spoken directly with Ronaldo and stressed that nothing should diminish his status as a national icon.
“Regardless of what happens, Cristiano Ronaldo will never cease to be the greatest symbol of our national team, of our football, and of the country, for what he has done not only in Portugal but throughout the world,” Fernandes said.
The Manchester United midfielder said Ronaldo had earned a special place in Portuguese football and in the hearts of the country’s people.
“He has a reserved place not only among the best of all time, but also in the hearts of all Portuguese people, and the most important thing is that we stop dividing things,” he added.
Fernandes also urged the Portuguese public to avoid turning the situation into a dispute between opposing sides.
“There are no divisions in the national team. It is one and will remain so, despite any noise that may come from outside,” he said.
“We are outside of this controversy, but what I ask is that the country does not divide itself, does not make choices, that it respects all sides. Cris is and will be the biggest icon of our national team, he deserves everyone’s respect, regardless of who likes him more or [who likes him] less.”
Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record goalscorer and most-capped player, having scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for the national team.
He has also played a central role in Portugal’s major international successes, helping the country win the 2016 European Championship and the Nations League twice.
Portugal won the Nations League in 2019 and retained the title in 2025 after beating Spain on penalties following a 2-2 draw, with Ronaldo scoring one of Portugal’s goals.
Ronaldo’s latest situation comes after a difficult period for the national team. Portugal reached the last 16 of the summer World Cup but were eliminated after a 1-0 defeat by eventual champions Spain.
Former manager Roberto Martinez faced criticism during the tournament for his reluctance to substitute Ronaldo, including during matches in which the forward was struggling to influence the game.
Jorge Jesus, who previously managed Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, subsequently replaced Martinez as Portugal coach for the Nations League campaign.
Portugal began the current campaign with a 1-0 home victory over Wales, with Ronaldo playing 67 minutes.
He was then an unused substitute during the 2-1 away win over Norway before leaving the squad ahead of the Denmark match.
After three matches, Portugal lead Group A4 with nine points from nine and are scheduled to face Norway at home on Sunday.
The group phase concludes next month, with Portugal hosting Denmark on November 14 before travelling to face Wales three days later.
If Portugal finish among the top two teams in the group, they will advance to the quarter-finals in March, with the semi-finals and final scheduled for June.
Jesus, who has also described Ronaldo as a “symbol of Portugal”, said he would address the situation surrounding the veteran forward after the match against Norway.
“For now, I’m going to focus on the team, on the opponent which is Norway, one of the five best teams in Europe. That’s the problem right now,” the 72-year-old coach said.
