Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister has escalated the fallout from his Portugal walkout by endorsing a social media post claiming the country’s people deserve a return to footballing “mediocrity”.
Elma Aveiro shared the message on her Instagram story after the 41-year-old left the national team camp amid tensions with manager Jorge Jesus.
The post attacked Portugal’s football authorities, the media and the public, before thanking Ronaldo for his contribution to the national side.
“The national team deserved better structuring. The Portuguese press deserved more competence and fewer guesses,” it read.
“As for the Portuguese… well, they don’t deserve the best in anything.
“We are envious, contemptuous, ignorant, and we deserve to return to the mediocrity we always had in football before CR7. Thank you for everything CR7!”
Aveiro added her own endorsement: “Everything has been said.”
Her intervention comes with Ronaldo’s international future uncertain following his departure ahead of Portugal’s Nations League clash against Denmark.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister has escalated the fallout from his Portugal walkout by endorsing a social media post claiming the country’s people deserve a return to footballing “mediocrity”
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He has not announced his retirement, but his promise to explain the circumstances has intensified scrutiny of his relationship with Jesus.
The controversy began after Ronaldo remained an unused substitute throughout Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Norway, despite warming up for a possible appearance.
He subsequently missed three consecutive training sessions with his team-mates before announcing on Wednesday that he was leaving.
Spanish journalist Edu Aguirre, a friend of Ronaldo, has also weighed in, alleging the forward felt “betrayed” by the manager.
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Speaking on El Chiringuito, Aguirre claimed Jesus had apologised during a private meeting on Tuesday night involving Ronaldo and the Portuguese Football Federation president.
He alleged the coach promised to acknowledge publicly that he had mishandled the situation against Norway, but failed to deliver that apology at Wednesday’s press conference.
“That’s why Cristiano explodes, because he feels betrayed,” Aguirre said.
Jesus had sought to dismiss suggestions of a dispute, however, insisting: “There was no incident whatsoever.”
He acknowledged the frustration of warming up without playing but defended his decision to keep Ronaldo on the bench.
“It’s nothing to make a fuss about,” the Portugal boss said.
“If I need [Ronaldo], he’ll come on.
“If I don’t need him, he won’t.”
Goncalo Ramos is now ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portugal pecking order
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Ronaldo’s subsequent statement explicitly linked his exit to the manager’s press conference and a conversation with the federation president.
“In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself,” he wrote.
He wished Portugal and his team-mates luck, while the federation confirmed preparations would continue with the remaining 24 players.
Only a week earlier, Ronaldo had insisted he still believed he could help his country and would stop when he felt he could no longer contribute.
