Fernandes hails Ronaldo and calls for Portugal unity ahead of Norway game

Published On 3 Oct 20263 Oct 2026.

Key points

• Portugal beat Norway and Denmark away from home without Ronaldo starting and face Norway again on Sunday.
• Coach Jesus remarked Ronaldo was a "symbol of Portugal" and stated there would be time to speak regarding him after Sunday's game in Porto.
• Manchester United midfielder Fernandes pressed unity after a tumultuous few days in which Portugal fans' opinions have been split over Ronaldo's decision.
• I'm going to focus on the team, on the opponent which is Norway, one of the five best teams in Europe.
• There are no divisions in the national team, it is one and will remain so, despite any noise that may come from outside.

Portugal playmaker Bruno Fernandes remarked Cristiano Ronaldo remains the country's greatest footballing icon despite walking out on the squad this week after finding out he would not start a match.

Notably, the 41-year-old superstar remarked on Wednesday that he had left the team after coach Jorge Jesus stated he would not start against Denmark in the Nations League, a match Portugal won 4-2 without him.

Meanwhile, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United attacker's future with the national team, for whom he is the leading goalscorer and most capped player, is in doubt after his walkout.

"Regarding Cristiano, I had a conversation with him, and what I told him, and what I repeat here, is this – the most important thing is that, regardless of what happens, Cristiano Ronaldo will never cease to be the greatest symbol of our national team, of our football, and of the country, for what he has done not only in Portugal but throughout the world, " Fernandes remarked to journalists on Saturday.

"He has a reserved place not only among the best of all time, but also in the hearts of all Portuguese people and the most important thing is that we stop dividing things, " remarked Fernandes.

"We are outside of this controversy, but what I ask is that the country does not divide itself, does not make choices, that it respects all sides, but, at the same time, Cris is and will be the biggest icon of our national team, he deserves everyone's respect, regardless of who likes him more or (who likes him) less."

"I'm going to focus on the team, on the opponent which is Norway, one of the five best teams in Europe. That's the difficulty right now, " stated the 72-year-old coach.

Taken together, the developments around fernandes hails Ronaldo and calls for Portugal unity ahead of Norway game point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.