Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister has urged him to abandon Portugal’s bid to win the World Cup and go home where he is appreciated.
Ronaldo has been at the centre of a storm over the past few days after manager Fernando Santos decided to drop him to the bench for their last-16 tie against Switzerland. The decision paid off, with replacement Goncalo Ramos scoring a hat-trick in a 6-1 win, but it sparked a backlash.
Portugal were forced to release a statement on Thursday denying that Ronaldo had threatened to walk out after arguing with Santos. The furore has overshadowed the side’s preparation for their quarter-final against Morocco on Saturday afternoon.
Ronaldo has also hit back at the allegations, referring to them as "outside forces" that were attempting to sabotage the nation's hopes of winning their first ever World Cup title - days ahead of the quarter-final clash Morocco.
Ronaldo posted on Twitter, alongside a photo of Portugal’s players celebrating together during their Round of 16 win: “A group too close to be broken by outside forces. A nation too brave to let itself be frightened by any adversary. A team in the truest sense of the word, which will fight for the dream until the end! Believe with us! Strength, Portugal!"
However, Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez aimed a sarcastic dig at the Portugal boss for overlooking her partner, while one of Ronaldo’s sisters, Elma Aveiro, slammed Santos for “humiliating” her brother. And now another of his siblings, Katia Aveiro, has had her say on the matter.
In a lengthy and emotional post on Instagram, Aveiro wrote “Portugal won. Thank God. New talents shone. Amazing. Are we going to win this? I believe so!!
“On the field they shouted for Ronaldo. It wasn't because Portugal was winning… And I'm not saying this. The world watched... Why is it???
“I'm glad Portugal won... (I've seen Portugal win so many times) And even this doesn't invalidate the smallness of a large part of the Portuguese people. And this is what is not right, because they continue to curse, they continue to insist on offence and ingratitude.
“Too sad with what I read and hear not here in Qatar but in my country in his country… But really sad. AND I WANTED IT SO MUCH. I really wanted him to come home, leave the national team and sit next to us so we could hug him and say that everything is fine, remind him of what he conquered and what home he came from.
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“I really wanted him not to go there anymore, we have suffered enough (they will never know how big) you are and the little ones don't realise how huge you are… Come to your house. Which is where they understand you, where they embrace you. As always was. Where do you have all the gratitude. And not ingratitude.
“Thank you Ronaldo. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I really wanted to… But whatever you decide, we are with you. Until death. Thanks.”
Santos’ call broke Ronaldo’s remarkable 31-game streak of starting every match at a major tournament for Portugal since 2008. Ronaldo, who is without a club after Manchester United terminated his contract, has blamed the controversy on “outside” forces and insisted that the squad remains “close”.
