CRISTIANO RONALDO has poured cold water on his rift with Maurizio Sarri by claiming he has been playing despite being injured.
The Portugal star sparked rumours of a falling out with the Juventus manager after being subbed on 55 minutes in the 1-0 win over AC Milan before the international break.
Ronaldo moved within one goal of a century for his country over the international breakCredit: Getty – Contributor
Ronaldo headed straight down the tunnel and even left the stadium before full-time.
It led to Sarri claiming that he subbed the striker because of an ongoing knee injury just days before he went on to star for Portugal over the international break.
Ronaldo scored four goals in two games including a hat-trick against Lithuania as he moved within one goal of reaching a century for his country.
It led to Portugal manager Fernando Santos contradicting Sarri by saying: “The captain is fine.
“The captain is good, no – he’s very good.”
Even Ronaldo’s two sisters appeared to hit out at his club manager by insisting he was not playing through injury.
But it appears the ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar has had the final say by admitting he “hasn’t been well.”
Reported by Football Italia, he said: “In the last three weeks I have been limited.
“Everyone knows that I don’t like to be substituted, but there was no problem in my gestures after the change. I tried to help Juventus by playing injured.
“No one likes to be replaced, but I understand it, because I wasn’t well in those two games. I wasn’t 100%.”
Ronaldo has poured cold water on a rift with SarriCredit: Getty – Contributor
Cristiano Ronaldo leaves a pitch invader in tears after stopping Portugal game to take a selfie
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
