Benfica star Joao Mario has confirmed that there is no rift between Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes following their frosty exchange on Portugal’s meetup before the 2022 World Cup.
Joao Mario, who is among Portugal players called up for the World Cup in Qatar said Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes’ awkward exchange in the Portugal dressing room was just ‘a joke.’
Cristiano Ronaldo granted a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, slamming the current state of affairs at the Premier League giants after the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
Afterward, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, the Vice Captain at Manchester United, met in Portugal’s dressing room as the team prepares to depart for the World Cup.
In a video footage which went viral, the duo were spotted engaging in frosty and awkward exchange of pleasantries.
Bruno Fernandes had a smirk etched across his face and briefly look back at Cristiano Ronaldo after the exchange, while walking away.
This sparked speculations on social media that the reaction of the two Man United stars is due to the bombshell interview Ronaldo granted with Piers Morgan.
After the explosive interview, Manchester United players were reportedly said to be angry with Ronaldo due to the level of disrespect he has brought against the club with the interview.
Meeting Ronaldo after the interview as a vice-captain, it was largely assumed that Bruno Fernades, including Diogo Dalot’s relationship with Ronaldo, may not be smooth due to the interview.
The frosty exchange of pleasantries at the locker room of Portugal’s national was said to affirmed the strained relationship between the Manchester United stars in Portugal national team.
However, fellow Portuguese and Benfica player who was in the locker room during the incident has come out to debunk the rumors of rift between the two stars.
According to Joao Mario, the two players were just joking and there was nothing serious going on in between them as the media speculated.
Speaking at Portugal’s press conference on Tuesday, Mario said: ‘I was in the locker room at that moment, I saw pictures.
‘It was a joke between them because Bruno was one of the last to arrive and Cristiano asked if he had come by boat. It was a joke between them, they play together’.
Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes made the journey from Manchester to Portugal as the national team continued their training in Oeiras before their planned departure to Qatar.
Mario claims that Fernandes’ late arrival was what prompted a confused look on Ronaldo’s face, as opposed to an awkwardness caused by the latter’s tell-all interview.
Ronaldo’s interview with Piers Morgan was controversial and equally explosive.
The five times Ballon d’Or winner blasted the club’s management for the wrong handling of the club.
He also said he did not ‘respect’ current United boss Erik ten Hag after taking aim at the club’s facilities and their place in the football pecking order.
He claimed they had fallen below the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City and also expressed a belief that he had been ‘betrayed’ by the club.
Ronaldo also took aim at the role of United’s owners and urged fans to continue their protest against the Glazers.
He said: ‘The fans, they’re always right. I think the fans should know the truth – should know that the players… we want the best for the club.’
The wantaway striker is currently with the Portugal national team as Manchester United braces up for a decision on his future with the club.
