The recent week left fans frustrated on behalf of Fernandes during Portugal's slim victory over Slovenia in the Euro 2024 Round of 16. It stemmed from Ronaldo attempting four free-kicks in threatening positions - failing to score even once.
Ronaldo also missed a penalty kick in extra time, which would have avoided a dramatoc penalty shootout. Many supporters felt that Ronaldo's insistence on monopolizing all set pieces underpinned a theory about his disjointed relationship with Fernandes, which extends from their time Manchester United.
This speculation gained traction when Fernandes appeared to be avoiding Ronaldo in the Portuguese changing room after Ronaldo shockingly criticized United in a candid interview with Piers Morgan.
Upon the initial appearance of the silent video, a Sky Sports reporter suggested that the pair seemed to be at odds. Fernandes swiftly countered: "They put the sound on after, did you hear it with the sound?
"You have to hear it. In Portugal, we have a problem that I was watching on one of the channels that was talking about that. [They were saying] 'It was cold, it was bad' for about 45 minutes. All of a sudden, they go for a break and the national team put it up with the sound and the sound says that he's joking with me.
"They came back and said there was a joke, and they cut there. They then said 'If you want to see again, just go back', but if they go back, they will see that was a problem. But if they tell the truth, if they explain what was in that video, people will know, but now people don't know.
"As I said, this is national team, Manchester United will be my focus after the World Cup. I have no problem with anyone. One time a manager said to me 'Everything that you can control is yourself'. I think everyone thinks the same way."
During Portugal's 3-0 triumph over Turkey, Ronaldo and Fernandes seemed to have formed a friendly understanding. The five-time Ballon d'Or recipient had a clear shot at goal, but instead of taking it, he passed the ball to Fernandes for an easy tap-in.
However, Fernandes, along with the rest of the Portugal squad, would have been immensely frustrated by Ronaldo's insistence on taking every free-kick within shooting distance of the goal. None of Ronaldo's attempts from these set pieces, which were typically more than 30 yards out, came close to scoring.
Ronaldo has yet to score a single goal in the entire tournament and hasn't scored for the national team since netting two goals in a friendly against Ireland last month. It's almost certain that Ronaldo will start in Portugal's quarter-final match against France.
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