The situation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo continues to stir controversy in Portugal. Following CR7’s departure from the national team camp, Portugal’s players were bombarded with questions about their historic captain after the 4-2 victory in Denmark. PSG stars Nuno Mendes and Vitinha were no exception, with one instruction seemingly clear: do not fuel the controversy.
Portugal wanted to put football back at the heart of the discussion, and they did exactly that on the pitch with an impressive 4-2 Nations League victory in Denmark. But just minutes after the final whistle, Cristiano Ronaldo was already back at the centre of attention. Absent after leaving the Portugal camp, CR7 became the unavoidable subject of the post-match interviews, and the players’ responses showed just how sensitive the issue remains.
Nuno Mendes and Vitinha Avoid the Ronaldo Debate
Asked about Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation and a possible return, Nuno Mendes chose his words carefully. The PSG left-back neither criticised his former captain nor took a clear position. “He is a national team player, and we are more focused on what we have to do now and what the coach has to offer us. The rest is not up to us, and we are ready to welcome anyone,” the Paris defender explained. Vitinha was equally careful to avoid being drawn into the affair. “We tried to focus on the game and that’s what we did. I think we reacted very well and I congratulate the whole team for that,” said the PSG midfielder, who scored Portugal’s third goal.
The two PSG players were far from the only ones treading carefully. Renato Veiga was even more explicit when questioned about Ronaldo. “I’m very close to Cris. He knows how much affection I have for him, but I was given instructions not to talk about this subject,” the Portugal international explained. Pressed again by the journalist, he simply replied: “I can’t.” Rafael Leão, who wore the iconic No. 7 shirt in Ronaldo’s absence, also refused to enter the controversy. “Cris is an idol for me, a childhood idol,” said the forward, preferring to focus on the victory and the team’s performance.
Even Jorge Jesus did not really answer when asked whether he would accept Cristiano Ronaldo back into the squad, instead stressing that his team had just “produced a very high-level performance” and scored four goals. The message therefore appears clear: in Portugal, nobody seems willing to publicly discuss the substance of the Ronaldo affair. Nuno Mendes and Vitinha have found themselves caught up in the situation despite themselves, while CR7’s future with the national team remains uncertain. Also read: Kylian Mbappé “tires” Ballon d’Or voters, according to its former chief; Michael Olise, PSG have gone quiet; six games and two European blockbusters in a packed October for PSG; France vs Italy: predicted line-up with two PSG players; Mbappé/Dembélé: the “cold war” continues despite denials; Lionel Messi buys a second club.
