Bernardo Silva insisted the atmosphere around Portugal’s World Cup camp was “top, top, top,” despite mounting controversy generated by Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent interview in England.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner and all-time top international goalscorer in men’s football Ronaldo lashed out at his club Manchester United and coach Erik ten Hag earlier this week when speaking to TalkTV.
Questions about Ronaldo dominated Silva’s press conference and the Manchester City midfielder was not keen to respond in depth, although he did say the forward was focused and motivated. “The news from England has nothing to do with the national team,” said Silva.
“It also has nothing to do with me, so I won’t comment. I’m not a Manchester United player, even if I were, I wouldn’t answer. They’re a rival club, it’s nothing to do with me.”
However, repeatedly asked about Ronaldo and whether there was any tension in the camp after he appeared to share a frosty interaction with club teammate Bruno Fernandes, Silva responded. “I don’t see any strange atmosphere in our team between Cristiano and another player,” he said.
“It is his matter that he has to resolve individually with the right person.”
“I a motivated and focused Ronaldo, like everyone else, and he is another player here to help our country and the national team. There is a lot of talk about this topic, but we have a World Cup to play. I don’t understand the persistence because there is nothing there.”
Portugal shone in their 4-1 win over Nigeria without Ronaldo, but Silva said it was normal that the team could function well without their talisman.
“He’s part of the team, obviously, but when he’s not there, we know how to respond. Whenever he wasn’t there, we responded well. We’re ready.
“There are 26 of us, it doesn’t matter if it’s one person or another (playing).”
Ronaldo is set to appear at his fifth World Cup and Euro 2016 winners Portugal open their campaign against Ghana on November 24, before facing Uruguay and South Korea.
Meanwhile Ronaldo’s teammate Anthony Elanga said his criticism of younger players at United is understandable, Ronaldo told TalkTV that younger players “have things more easily, everything’s easy, they don’t suffer – and don’t care.”
When asked if the interview would have a bearing on his relationship with Ronaldo, Elanga told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, “not so much. When we meet, he’s still Cristiano Ronaldo to me.”
The 20-year-old added that Ronaldo had helped him both on and off the pitch since returning to Old Trafford for a second spell in 2021. “He is an inspiration not only to me but to all the young players at United,” the Swedish international said.
“I think he said young players in general. We’re a new generation but I’m always focused on what I’m doing. But I understand him. It’s a lot of phones, a lot of technology and stuff like that.
“It’s quite easy for young players to lose focus, but I’ve always been 100% focused on what I’m doing. I think young players at United listen, but I understand what he means.”
