Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes says Cristiano Ronaldo offers “things” to the Portuguese National Team as the European nation readies itself to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Fernandes made this known in an interview with Canal 11 with Ronaldo set to compete in his sixth World Cup after making his debut in the 2006 edition.
However, questions have been raised about Ronaldo’s impact on the team with some quarters reporting that the Portuguese team is better off without the Al-Nassr player but Fernandes believes that the team shouldn’t focus on that end.
“Cristiano [Ronaldo] inside the box continues to be a very high-level player. He draws defenders and creates space for other players. I know what people think, that it’s clear we play better without Ronaldo, that the players are freer and more fluid.”
“I think that, if that happens, it’s partly our fault. We can’t worry if Cristiano is on the pitch, because Cristiano can give us things” Fernandes said.
Cristiano Ronaldo recently got cleared to compete in the opening rounds of the 2026 World Cup after receiving a straight red card that would have ruled him out of competing in Portugal’s first two games at the 2026 World Cup.
