Following his surprising departure from Manchester United on Tuesday, Nov. 22, Cristiano Ronaldo chose not to attend Portugal's press conference before the nation's opening World Cup match against Ghana on Thursday, Nov. 24, said reports.
On Wednesday, Nov. 23, Portugal manager Fernando Santos and Ronaldo's Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes took the podium. Fernandes also talked about Ronaldo's departure from the Premier League team as well.
“It was good for me while it lasted. Now Cristiano has taken a different decision for his career and his family and we have to respect that,” Fernandes said, per the Manchester Evening Standard.
Since Ronaldo has been Portugal's captain for more than ten years, it was expected that the 37-year-old athlete would attend the media conferences with his managers.
In recent weeks, Ronaldo's relationship with Manchester United had reached a breaking point. In a shocking interview with Piers Morgan, the legendary forward criticized the team and its manager, Erik ten Hag.
During the conversation, Ronaldo said that ten Hag was one of many people that attempted to remove him from his position during the offseason and that he has "no respect" for them.
Additionally, Ronaldo compared Manchester United to a "marketing club" and asserted that the team's owners, the Glazer family, are more concerned with what occurs off the field than on it.
Manchester United thanked Ronaldo for his contributions on Tuesday.
"The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future,” the statement read.
The media reported on Tuesday that Ronaldo, who has since been linked to Chelsea, won't get the $19.1 million he was expected to make over the course of his contract.
Portugal hasn't missed the World Cup since Ronaldo joined the squad for the first time in 2006. The World Cup in which Portugal fell to France in the semifinals was the event in which Ronaldo advanced the furthest.
Four years ago, he and Portugal finished second in their group to Spain, before losing 2-1 to Uruguay in the Round of 16. However, in Portugal's opening game against Spain, Ronaldo turned in one of his most famous performances by scoring three goals.
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