Bruno Fernandes backs Ronaldo as Portugal row over captain's camp exit continues

Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes backed Cristiano Ronaldo after the star left the national team camp and his wife criticized coach Jorge Jesus.

• Ronaldo left Portugal's training camp after being used as a substitute against Norway, and Portugal beat Denmark 4–2 on Saturday without him.
• Fernandes, at a press conference before the Norway return leg, asked the nation not to take sides and said the team is united.
• Georgina Rodriguez, Ronaldo's wife, posted then deleted an Instagram story criticizing Jesus, saying she does not know how he can bear the name of Christ.
• Jesus denied any personal conflict with Ronaldo, saying call-up and selection decisions are his technical choices applied to all players.
• Portuguese media reported that equipment manager Antonio Costa also left the national team camp after Ronaldo.
• Ronaldo said on social media his decision followed Jesus's press conference and a talk with the federation president, promising to explain to Portuguese fans later.
• His private plane departed for Riyadh in Saudi Arabia after the captain left the camp.
• Portuguese newspaper Record denied L'Equipe's report of negotiations for a farewell match for Ronaldo with Portugal, calling it a fictional scenario.
• Former Al-Ahli striker Omar Al-Somah told BeIN Sports that Portugal would be better without Ronaldo, citing his declining technical and physical abilities.