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Ronaldo’s Sister Backs Portugal Captain After Camp Departure
Elma Aveiro has backed Cristiano Ronaldo after he left Portugal’s training camp, sharing a message criticising the treatment of the national team captain.
Cristiano Ronaldo's sister, Elma Aveiro, has publicly backed the Portugal captain after his departure from the national team's training camp, sharing a message that criticised the treatment of the veteran forward.
Aveiro shared the message on Instagram on Wednesday and added a comment in Portuguese meaning that “everything has been said” in the post.
The message praised Ronaldo and criticised Portugal's football authorities, media and public over what it described as a lack of respect for the 41-year-old forward.
“CR7 deserved more respect. The national team deserved more structure,” the message said.
It also criticised Portuguese journalism for what it described as excessive speculation and questioned the country's attitude towards Ronaldo's achievements.
The development came hours after Ronaldo announced that he had left Portugal's training camp in Copenhagen ahead of the team's UEFA Nations League match against Denmark.
“Following the national team manager's press conference, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team's training camp,” Ronaldo said in a statement posted on Instagram.
“In due course, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons behind my departure from the national team, to which I have always been fully committed.
“Now is the time to wish Portugal and all my team-mates, without exception, the best of luck,” he added.
Ronaldo's departure followed comments by Portugal coach Jorge Jesus concerning the forward's role in the team.
The Portugal captain had been an unused substitute during the team's 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway in their previous match, while Jesus had indicated that Ronaldo would not start against Denmark.
The Portuguese Football Federation subsequently confirmed that Ronaldo had left the training camp.
Jesus, however, rejected reports that Ronaldo had refused to train and denied that a major confrontation had taken place between the pair.
Ronaldo's departure has prompted speculation about his future with the Portugal national team. However, neither the player nor the Portuguese Football Federation has announced that he is retiring from international football.
The circumstances surrounding his departure remain the subject of speculation, with Ronaldo indicating that he would later explain his reasons for leaving the camp.