Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, has voiced her support for the Portugal captain following his unexpected departure from the national team’s training camp, sharing a message criticising the country for what it described as a lack of respect for the veteran forward.
Aveiro posted the message on her Instagram account on Wednesday and accompanied it with a comment in Portuguese, “everything has been said here”, according to the post.
The translated message read, “CR7 deserved more respect. The national team deserved more structure.
“Portuguese journalism deserved more competence and less speculation.
“As for the Portuguese people, well… they don’t deserve to have the best at anything.
“We are envious, disdainful, ignorant, and we deserve to return to the mediocrity we always had in football before CR7.
“Thank you for everything, CR7! You deserved more!
Aveiro’s post came shortly after Ronaldo announced his exit from Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen, ahead of Thursday’s UEFA Nations League meeting with Denmark.
Ronaldo explained that his decision followed a press conference by national team coach Jorge Jesus and a discussion with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença.
“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 decision came after Jesus spoke about reports of tension concerning the forward’s position within the team.
The 41-year-old was left on the bench throughout Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway in their previous fixture, while Jesus had reportedly stated that Ronaldo would not be in the starting lineup against Denmark.
The Portuguese Football Federation later confirmed that Ronaldo had left the national team camp.
Jesus, however, rejected claims that Ronaldo had refused to participate in training or that a serious confrontation had taken place between the two.
The situation has sparked further questions about Ronaldo’s international future, although neither the player nor the Portuguese Football Federation has confirmed that he is retiring from international football.
Ronaldo continues to hold Portugal’s records for international goals and appearances. Reuters reported that his future with the national team had become uncertain following his departure from the camp.
Aveiro’s social media post has further intensified attention around the situation, especially its closing statement: “Thank you for everything, CR7! You deserved more!” The message could be interpreted as suggesting that Ronaldo’s international career may be nearing its conclusion.
However, Ronaldo has not announced his retirement from international football and has instead stated that he will later reveal the reasons behind his decision to leave the training camp.
