RONALDO’S FUTURE NOT FOR PLAYERS TO DECIDE, SAYS NUNO MENDES

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By: Fasasi Hammad

Portugal defender Nuno Mendes says the national team is prepared to welcome any player who joins the squad, while stressing that Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation is not a decision for the players to make.

According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano in a post on X on Friday, Mendes said the team’s immediate focus was on its upcoming match at the Dragão and following the instructions of coach Jorge Jesus.

Asked about Ronaldo’s situation, Mendes said: “He is a player for the national team, and we are more focused on what we have to do now and on what the coach wants to bring to us.”

“As for the rest, it’s not for us to decide,” he added.

Mendes also said the squad would welcome any player who joins the team.

“We’re here to welcome any player who joins us,” the defender said.

Portugal coach Jesus has similarly urged the team to concentrate on the Dragão fixture, saying the situation surrounding Ronaldo would be addressed afterward.

“Now we have to focus on the Dragão match and on what we can do in it,” Jesus said.

“After the Dragão match, we’ll see what happens.”

Meanwhile, Portugal defender Renato Veiga said he remains close to Ronaldo but declined to comment further on the situation.

“I’m very close to Cristiano Ronaldo, and he knows I have a lot of affection for him,” Veiga said.

“But I’ve been instructed not to talk about this. I can’t talk about it,” he added.