In what is being looked at as a strong message in response to media reports which claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to leave the team during their ongoing campaign at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, the star Portugal player has shared a social media post.
In his latest Instagram post, not only did the free agent share a picture of the team celebrating their success but he wrote: "A group too united to be broken by external forces. A nation too brave to be intimidated by any adversary."
"A team in the true sense of the word, that will fight for the dream until the end! Take a leap of faith with us! Come on, Portugal,” he added.
Earlier, the Portuguese Football Federation had quashed remorts suggesting Ronaldo had threatened to desert the squad.
"At no time has the captain of the national team, Cristiano Ronaldo, threatened to leave the national team in Qatar. Every day Cristiano Ronaldo builds a unique story at the service of the national team and the country which must be respected and which attests to the indisputable degree of commitment to the national team," the official statement from the Portugal federation read.
"Incidentally, the degree of dedication of the player most capped by Portugal was again demonstrated – if necessary – in the victory against Switzerland, in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup," it added.
Reports had earlier stated that when the 37-year-old came to know he will not start in the match against Switzerland, he threw tantrums and threatened that he would exit the camp. However, coach Fernando Santos explained to him the tactical reasons behind his name being on the bench which was how Ronaldo was pacified.
The official statement from the Portugal federation though denies these claims and even praises Ronaldo's rich legacy and his national commitment.
