Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has rubbished reports of influencing the sacking of former Portugal coach Paulo Bento. There are also claims he wanted Tiago Mendes and Ricardo Carvalho to apologise publicly after their return to the Portugal national squad following an absence of three years.
"I see these returns as good, as well as others who have been called up. The team has a good look now and in the future. That's good for us," responded Ronaldo.
"These situations should be put to one side. I prefer to stick with the positive things about the coaches that I've had over my career, from the start, with Boloni, until now, with Carlo Ancelotti and Fernando Santos. I've always had good lessons from my coaches and I've learned from them. In football there are cycles and that of Paulo Bento ended in sadness for us.
"Over the past 11 years decisions have been made over the head coach of the national team and they are always taken by the president, never a player or group of players. The talk otherwise makes me sad, I'm disappointed."
