​Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes decided to disable replies on his social media accounts this week after enduring a flood of online abuse from Cristiano Ronaldo supporters. The critics accused him and several teammates of undermining the Portugal star during the team’s disappointing run at the World Cup, which ended with an early exit in the Round of 16 at the hands of Spain.
Portugal were edged out 1-0 by Spain, with Mikel Merino scoring a stoppage-time winner. The result marked the end of Ronaldo’s World Cup journey, as the 41-year-old had already confirmed that this tournament would be his last, and it also prompted head coach Roberto Martinez to step down. “I came to Portugal with the objective of winning the World Cup, and because I haven’t won, it wouldn’t make sense to continue,” Martínez said after the defeat, while also praising Ronaldo. “My contract ends today.” Martinez has since been succeeded by Jorge Jesus, Ronaldo’s former manager at Al-Nassr.
After Portugal’s elimination, Fernandes posted a heartfelt message reflecting on the tournament. “Sad, frustrated, and disillusioned,” he wrote. “This group of players raised my expectations, not only for the quality but also for the incredible group that we built over these years. Thank you to all the players, the technical staff, and everyone who accompanied and helped us every day during the World Cup. To all the Portuguese people, a huge thank you for your support and belief.” The note, however, did little to shield Fernandes from criticism. He, along with teammates Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Pedro Neto, faced accusations that they had undermined Ronaldo after a 1-1 draw with DR Congo earlier in the group stage. The backlash intensified when Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, liked an Instagram post accusing Fernandes of failing to deliver for Portugal, which included an unfavorable comparison to Brazilian winger Raphinha. The post suggested: “Magically, they forgot how to: pass the ball; win it back; launch counter-attacks. The game became all about passing backwards in midfield… strange World Cup. Very strange.”
In the wake of Portugal’s elimination, Fernandes once again found himself confronted with negative comments on X, leading him to disable the platform’s reply feature. Some supporters, however, came to Fernandes’s defense, arguing that Ronaldo’s declining mobility—not a lack of service—was the primary issue behind Portugal’s struggles.
Ronaldo told reporters he harbors no regrets about how his final World Cup ended. “I gave it my all, I gave my best. And I leave with a clear conscience,” he said. “It was my last World Cup, yes, but as for the rest… I have time to think, be with my family, not make decisions in the heat of the moment, and move on with life.” The future of Ronaldo’s international career remains a topic of debate, with discussions about whether he might pursue any form of ongoing involvement with Portugal or in a different capacity. The broader question for fans and analysts alike is how Ronaldo’s legacy will be viewed moving forward, given the evolving dynamics of the national team and the next generation of Portuguese players.