PORTUGAL forward Bernardo Silva has attempted to quash speculation of a feud between Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.
Earlier this week, Fernandes appeared to give his Manchester United teammate a frosty reception as the pair met up for Portugal duty.
It came on the eve of Ronaldo’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he slammed the club.
The awkward exchange has led many to suggest there is some sort of issue between the pair – just days out from the start of Portugal’s World Cup campaign.
But Man City man Silva does not believe there is any sort problem.
Speaking in a press conference on the eve of the tournament, the Portuguese playmaker said: “It is a team that has Cristiano. He’s part of it, obviously, but when he’s not, we know how to respond, as we have shown lately.
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“Whenever he wasn’t there, we have responded well.
“We’re all set. There is 26 of us, it doesn’t matter if it’s one or the other.
“There is no weird atmosphere between Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo, I don’t see a big deal. It’s a shame to be talking only about this.”
Despite denying any tension between Ronaldo and Fernandes, there was an awkward moment within Silva’s press conference.
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It came when a journalist asked Silva a question in English, before the Man City man replied in Portuguese.
The journalist proceeded to ask: “Can you reply in English please?”
To which Silva simply replied: “No”.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo is heading into his fifth World Cup in what is set to be his final appearance in the competition.
Portugal’s best performance with Ronaldo in the side came way back in 2006 when they reached the semi-finals before losing to France.
Since then, they have failed to progress beyond the last 16.
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Fernando Santos’ men kick off their World Cup against Ghana on Thursday.
They will also meet Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
