Elma Aveiro says Portugal doomed to mediocrity after Ronaldo quits
While Portugal prepares to host Dinamarca in next week’s Liga das Nações, Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed on Wednesday that he is leaving the national squad, prompting his sister Elma Aveiro to take to social media and label the team’s future as a return to mediocrity.
Elma Aveiro, the sister of Cristiano Ronaldo, posted on social media on Wednesday after the forward walked out of the national team camp. Her message followed Ronaldo’s announcement that he was leaving the Portugal squad.
Portugal’s Nations League clash with Dinamarca
Portugal will meet Dinamarca in the Liga das Nações on the coming Wednesday. The encounter forms part of the group stage of the competition.
Ronaldo had not taken part in the training session on Tuesday, the 29th, and decided to quit following remarks from head coach Jorge Jesus in a press conference. Jesus had asserted that no player decides how his work should be carried out, a comment that reportedly prompted the striker’s decision.
Ronaldo and his sister voice the fallout
Elma described the episode as a lack of respect for the country’s greatest idol, insisting that her brother had done much for the Seleção Portuguesa and that it would now slip back into mediocrity. She wrote: “CR7 deserved more respect. The national team deserved more structure. Portuguese journalism deserved more competence and less speculation. Regarding the Portuguese, well… they do not deserve to have the best in anything. We are jealous, contemptuous, ignorant and deserve a return to mediocrity that always existed in Portuguese football before CR7.”
Jorge Jesus denies rift as Ronaldo skips training before Dinamarca clash
Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41, confirmed on Wednesday, the 30th, that he will no longer represent Portugal. In his official statement to the Seleção Nacional he cited the press conference of Jorge Jesus and a conversation with the president of the Federação Portuguesa de Futebol as reasons for leaving, and promised to reveal the full truth in due course.
He added that he wishes good luck to Portugal and all his teammates without exception. The forward also noted that he will miss the upcoming match against Dinamarca, scheduled for Thursday, the 1st, in the Liga das Nações.
RTI Esporte had earlier reported a growing crisis between Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus, noting that the striker felt aggrieved after remaining on the bench during the victory over Norway last week. The following day he left the training ground and returned to the hotel that serves as the team’s camp.
Jorge Jesus denies Ronaldo deal, the Ballon d’Or leaves Copenhagen
Foto: Divulgação / Seleção Portuguesa / RTI Esporte credits the accompanying image. The photograph shows the Portuguese squad preparing for the Dinamarca encounter.