Ronaldo is Portugal’s greatest icon, says Bruno Fernandes - Punch Newspapers
Man United and Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes has described Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest icon of Portugal’s national team and the country, reaffirming the lasting influence of the legendary forward. Fernandes revealed that he recently spoke with Ronaldo and personally expressed his admiration for his former Portugal teammate. In a post by football expert, Fabrizio Romano on X on Saturday, Fernandes was quoted as saying “I spoke with Cristiano Ronaldo and told him that he is and will always remain the greatest icon of our national team and our country.” The midfielder also addressed suggestions of divisions within the Portuguese squad, insisting that the national team remains united. “Our national team is united, not divided,” Fernandes added.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google Fernandes further stressed that any matters involving the team should be handled internally, with the aim of reaching a positive conclusion for everyone involved. Happy to honour Ronaldo with No. 7 shirt – Rafa Leao Lewandowski breaks Ronaldo record with Nations League hat-trick Eagles need teamwork to be world-class – Artmosfair “Matters must be resolved internally and conclude well for both parties,” he said. Fernandes’ comments underline the respect Ronaldo continues to command within Portuguese football, with the veteran forward remaining a central figure in the country’s footballing history and identity. Meanwhile, Portugal coach Jorge Jesus highlighted Ronaldo’s importance to Portugal, describing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as a symbol of both the national team and the country. “I can’t ignore Cristiano Ronaldo topic. Cris is a symbol of the Portuguese national team. He is a symbol of Portugal. Let that be absolutely clear,” Jesus said. However, Jesus chose not to go into greater detail at the time, indicating that there would be an opportunity to address the subject more fully after the match. “After the game, answering the question, there will be plenty of time to talk about that,” he added. Gilbert Ekugbe Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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