Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Cancelo suspectedly clashed in Portugal’s national team training session ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
The beleaguered Manchester United forward had another awkward moment with the Manchester City winger during a training session.
In a viral footage, Joao Cancelo appeared seemingly engrossed in training session while teammate Cristiano Ronaldo had tried to lighten up the mood.
The Manchester City full-back apparently did not expect an approach by Cristiano Ronaldo when the wantaway striker came over and tried to strike up a conversation with the youngster.
Ronaldo walked up to the Citizens defender and jokingly grabbed him around his neck.
He playfully wanted to break Cancelo’s serious mood with a bit of play and fun, but the outcome was somewhat awkward.
Putting his hands around Cancelo’s head, the five times Ballon d’Or winner was set to crack jokes and poke fun, but Cancelo was in no mood for play as he agitated, shook his head, and turned away.
Noticing Cancelo’s serious and grim-faced mood, the legendary Premier League forward just took a walk from him and smiled off the awkward moment.
The incident comes just a day after Ronaldo’s Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes gave him a reluctant handshake at the locker room, sparking reactions that the Man United vice-captain must have been offended by the bombshell interview Ronaldo granted with Piers Morgan.
Ronaldo offered his hand to Fernandes, who shook it reluctantly and then hastened off to greet other teammates.
The video went viral since it was their first meeting since Ronaldo’s tell-all interview with Piers Morgan.
The former Juventus forward sparked reactions and criticisms when he went public with his frustration and difficulties at Manchester United in the interview.
He alleged betrayal by the Manchester United hierarchy who had wanted him out of the club since last year.
According to Ronaldo, the management victimized him and did not believe him when he told them his child was sick and he needed to excuse himself from preseason to attend to the child.
The 37-year-old blasted the Glazers for their poor handling of the club since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013.
He also took a dig at former teammates Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney for criticising him unnecessarily.
Ronaldo went ahead to affirm his disdain for Erik Ten Hag, saying he doesn’t respect him since the Dutch tactician does not have respect for him too.
The awkward scene with Joao Cncelo is coming on the backdrop of his Ronaldo’s rift with Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Gary Nevill, and Wayne Rooney.
Meanwhile, just like the seemingly awkward exchange with Bruno Fernandes, the bust-up with Joao Cancelo may be another superficial face-off, with the youngster not having any grudge against him.
Recall that Joao Mario, another Portugal teammate, had come out to clear the air that nothing really went on between Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.
Mario said the two Manchester United players were just joking about Fernandes’ late arrival before the media interpreted it as an exchange soiled by the Piers Morgan interview.
According to some other reports, Cristiano Ronaldo is in top spirit despite his recent frustrations and is ready to lead Portugal national team to World Cup glory in Qatar.
