Ruben Dias defends Cristiano Ronaldo amid Portugal controversy | OneFootball

Ruben Dias has sought to cool the scrutiny around Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent conduct on Portugal duty, arguing the noise is inflated.

According to Goal.com, debate grew after Sunday’s 2-1 win over Norway, when the 41-year-old went unused despite Jorge Jesus promising 30 minutes, then missed two training sessions. The manager called it a tactical choice.

Dias insisted Ronaldo remains central to the group and said the squad are far less concerned than the public. He added that he, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes do not attach the same weight to the issue.

Ronaldo and Jesus met on Tuesday night with federation president Pedro Proenca, with clear-the-air talks presented as ironing out differences.

The defender argued that flare-ups are part of elite careers and that perspective matters. He challenged the idea any player stays perfectly composed throughout.

Addressing claims Ronaldo ignored supporters, Dias pointed to the emotions of the moment. Ronaldo played 67 minutes in the 1-0 win over Wales, was then benched against Norway, and headed straight down the tunnel in frustration, which he framed as brief and not reflective of two decades of commitment. Calm has largely returned before Thursday’s Nations League tie with Denmark.

Pressed on Manchester City’s off-pitch case after an independent commission found the club guilty of nearly all 115 financial charges, Dias declined to comment, saying he would only discuss the national team.

Source: Goal.com

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