Cristiano Ronaldo skipped Portugal’s press convention forward of the nation’s opening World Cup match Thursday in opposition to Ghana following his stunning cut up from Manchester United on Tuesday.
Ronaldo’s teammate Bruno Fernandes — additionally of Manchester United — took the rostrum on Wednesday as an alternative, together with Portugal supervisor Fernando Santos.
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Fernandes additionally addressed Ronaldo’s exit from the Premier League membership.
“It was good for me whereas it lasted. Now Cristiano has taken a special choice for his profession and his household and we’ve to respect that,” Fernandes stated, per the Manchester Evening Standard.
“I haven’t mentioned the subject with Cris. We’re all centered on the nationwide staff and the World Cup. I don’t really feel uncomfortable. I don’t have to select a facet. It was a dream come true to play with Cristiano [at United] however nothing lasts without end.”
Team captains sometimes attend the media periods alongside their managers, and given Ronaldo has been Portugal’s captain for greater than a decade, the 37-year-old athlete was anticipated to attend.
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Ronaldo’s tenure with Manchester United had reached a breaking level in latest weeks, with the famend ahead criticising the membership and its supervisor, Erik ten Hag, in a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
During the sit-down, Ronaldo — who returned to Manchester United in 2021 after enjoying for the membership from 2003-09 — stated he has “no respect” for ten Hag, whom he alleged was one of many a number of people who tried to pressure his ouster within the low season.
Ronaldo additionally likened Manchester United to a “advertising and marketing membership,” and accused the Glazer household, who owns the staff, of caring extra about what’s occurring off the pitch than on it.
Manchester United thanked Ronaldo for his contributions on Tuesday.
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“The membership thanks him for his immense contribution throughout two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 targets in 346 appearances, and desires him and his household effectively for the long run,” the assertion learn.
Ronaldo, who has since been linked to Chelsea, is not going to obtain the $19.1 million he was as a result of earn on the rest of his contract, the Daily Mail reported Tuesday.
As for the World Cup itself, Portugal hasn’t missed the worldwide occasion ever since Ronaldo first joined the staff in 2006.
That event was the furthest Ronaldo has made it in a World Cup, when Portugal misplaced within the semi-finals to France.
Four years in the past, he and Portugal completed second of their group to Spain, earlier than shedding 2-1 to Uruguay within the Round of 16.
However, Ronaldo had considered one of his most memorable performances with a hat trick in opposition to Spain in Portugal’s opening recreation.
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CANADA COACH LIFTS LID ON ROUSING SPEECH AFTER DEFEAT
In the aftermath of their merciless 1-0 loss to Belgium, Canada head coach John Herdman revealed he implored his gamers to “F Croatia subsequent” as they appear to maintain their World Cup knockout dream alive.
The Canadians have been the higher of the 2 sides of their first recreation on the World Cup in 36 years, peppering the Belgians with 22 pictures in whole.
But a Michy Batshuayi strike in opposition to the run of play and a Thibaut Courtois penalty save ensured the World No. 2 would take the spoils.
However, Morocco and Croatia’s scoreless draw means Canada are nonetheless in with a shout of constructing the Round of 16 at a minimal.
Herdman knew simply as a lot as he regarded to rev up his gamers in a rousing speech on the pitch after the sport.
When quizzed about what he stated to his troops, Herdman’s response was “easy”.
“I simply informed them they belong right here,” Herdman stated.
“And we’re going to go and ‘F’ Croatia subsequent.
“It’s so simple as that.”
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DENMARK THREATEN TO LEAVE FIFA
Danish Football Association president Jesper Moller revealed numerous nations have mentioned the bombshell prospect of leaving FIFA amid the controversy surrounding the ‘OneLove’ captain’s armband.
Moller additionally confirmed he wouldn’t give his vote for incumbent FIFA president Gianni Infantino to stay in his position on the subsequent election.
At a press convention in Qatar, Moller acknowledged there was no concrete calls made simply but amongst a choose variety of nations as to whether or not they depart FIFA, however anticipates talks will attain a important level quickly.
“It will not be a choice that has been made now,” Moller stated.
“We have been clear about this for a very long time. We have been discussing it within the Nordic area since August.
“I’ve thought it once more. I think about that there could also be challenges if Denmark leaves by itself. But allow us to see if we can not have a dialogue on issues.
“I’ve to consider the query of tips on how to restore confidence in FIFA.
“We should consider what has occurred after which we should create a method – additionally with our Nordic colleagues.”
DARK HORSE SUFFERS DEVASTATING INJURY BLOW
Denmark midfielder Thomas Delaney is out of the World Cup after selecting up a knee damage throughout his staff’s opening goalless draw with Tunisia, the nation’s FA introduced on Wednesday.
“We’ll miss him, each on and off the pitch,” stated coach Kasper Hjulmand in a press release.
“Our different gamers are prepared and we’ve a robust squad for the approaching matches.”
Delaney, who performs his membership soccer with Sevilla in Spain, will miss Denmark’s remaining Group D fixtures in opposition to world champions France and Australia.
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SAUDI’S AL-SHAHRANI UNDERGOES SUCCESSFUL SURGERY AFTER SICKENING COLLISION
Saudi Arabia defender Yasser Al-Shahrani underwent profitable surgical procedure on his pancreas on Wednesday after a collision throughout his staff’s shock World Cup win over Argentina, the nationwide staff stated.
Medical examinations performed in Doha revealed Al-Shahrani to be in a “steady situation” after “struggling a robust conflict within the head, chest and stomach”, stated a press release posted on the staff’s Twitter account.
He was then “transferred by medical evacuation to the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh” for the operation.
A follow-up assertion on Wednesday evening stated the operation had been accomplished “with success”.
Al-Shahrani collided with Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais in stoppage time on the finish of the match in opposition to Argentina, which led to an upset 2-1 victory for the Green Falcons.
Al-Owais’s left knee linked squarely with Al-Shahrani’s face. “I want to make sure you that I’m OK, pray for me and congratulations on successful,” Al-Shahrani stated in a video clip from his hospital mattress posted on social media.
Saudi Arabia have been propelled to victory by a surprising aim from Salem Al-Dawsari, bringing Argentina’s 36-match unbeaten run to a shuddering halt.
The Saudis’ subsequent match is on Saturday in opposition to Poland.
