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Fernandes hails Portugal’s ‘greatest symbol’ Ronaldo, calls for unity

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Portugal playmaker Bruno Fernandes said Cristiano Ronaldo remains the country’s greatest footballing icon despite walking out on the squad this week after finding out he would not start a match.

The 41-year-old superstar said Wednesday he had left the team after coach Jorge Jesus said Ronaldo would not start against Denmark in the Nations League, a match Portugal won 4-2 without him.

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United attacker Ronaldo’s future with the national team, for whom he is the leading goalscorer and most capped player, is in doubt after his walkout.

“Regarding Cristiano, I had a conversation with him, and what I told him, and what I repeat here, is this – the most important thing is that, regardless of what happens, Cristiano Ronaldo will never cease to be the greatest symbol of our national team, of our football, and of the country, for what he has done not only in Portugal but throughout the world,” Fernandes told reporters Saturday.

Manchester United midfielder Fernandes called for unity after a tumultuous few days in which Portugal fans’ opinions have been split over Ronaldo’s decision.


“He has a reserved place not only among the best of all time, but also in the hearts of all Portuguese people, and the most important thing is that we stop dividing things,” said Fernandes.

“There are no divisions in the national team, it is one and will remain so, despite any noise that may come from outside…

“We are outside of this controversy, but what I ask is that the country does not divide itself, does not make choices, that it respects all sides, but, at the same time, Cris is and will be the biggest icon of our national team, he deserves everyone’s respect, regardless of who likes him more or (who likes him) less.”

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Jude Bellingham agrees huge new Real Madrid contract

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Jude Bellingham has reportedly reached an agreement with Real Madrid over a new contract at the club.

Still only 23, Bellingham has been a remarkable success at Real Madrid, with 49 goals and 34 assists in his 150 games for the club.

According to Spanish outlet AS, Bellingham and Madrid have finalized an agreement to extend his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu until the summer of 2031.

The midfielder initially joined the club from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023 on a deal running through to 2029.

It’s understood that Bellingham will be handed a much improved salary, reflecting his importance on the pitch for the side.

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Manchester United Have ‘Moved On’ From Martinez Outburst — Carrick

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Michael Carrick said that Manchester United had “moved on” from Lisandro Martinez’s outburst aimed at the club’s hierarchy, stressing it was “really not a drama for us as a group”.

Argentina defender Martinez criticised the United hierarchy following their 2-0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, saying Carrick had been left with an under-strength squad.

The centre-back criticised technical director Jason Wilcox, saying he had “100 percent” expected more investment during the summer transfer window after United finished third in the Premier League last season.

It is understood Martinez, who issued an apology on Thursday, has been fined for his outburst.

United manager Carrick confirmed during a pre-match press conference on Friday that Martinez would be in his squad for their Premier League match at bitter rivals Leeds on Sunday.

Carrick, under intense pressure after a terrible start to the season, was asked by reporters about Martinez’s comments and subsequent developments.

“We’ve moved on from that; it was one of those things,” he said. “I think Licha (Martinez) has come out and acknowledged the situation, and as a group we’ve moved on.

“It’s really not a drama for us as a group; I think the boys have trained really well. This morning there was a really good feeling around the squad.”

Martinez, 28, said in a statement he had held positive talks with the club’s leadership and Carrick.

“Everyone knows that I am a passionate person and that I live football with great intensity,” he said in a post on Instagram.

“The frustration of the defeat led me to express how I felt at a time and place that perhaps were not the right ones, and for that I want to apologise.”

Former United captain Roy Keane has branded the situation at his former club “a bit of a circus”.

Carrick was pressed by reporters on the nature of the apology from Martinez, which did not mention Wilcox by name.

“I think he (Martinez) has released his statement and he’s realised he’s made a mistake,” said the United boss. “I think that’s enough for all of us to move on with.”

“I understand the emotion at times. We ask for passion, we ask for emotion, we ask for fire, and we ask for players to care.

“There’s a way of doing that, and that’s already been acknowledged. We need to carry that. We need to carry that intensity and that willingness and that togetherness and that spirit and everything,” he added.

United have made their worst start to a league season in 40 years.

They are 13th in the Premier League, with just one win from six matches, but Carrick, a former United and England midfielder, deflected a question about the pressure on him personally.

“I don’t need results; we all need results,” he said. “It’s not about me. Manchester United is a lot bigger than any individual, bigger than me.

“Bigger than any player, anyone else who works at this football club. It always has been, and it’s not about me.”

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PSG prepare ambitious swoop for Barcelona’s Eric García

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Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly identified Barcelona defender Eric Garcia as their top transfer target for summer 2027.

According to Le Parisien, Luis Enrique is eager to reunite with the versatile Spaniard, who can operate centrally or in wide defensive positions.

The French champions are reportedly considering a €70 million offer to persuade Blaugrana to sell the 25-year-old.

García, whose contract runs until 2031, has become an important figure under Hansi Flick, making 51 appearances across all competitions last season, including 47 starts.

The 2026 World Cup winner has maintained his impressive form this term, starting all eight matches in which he has featured.

A Barcelona academy graduate, Garcia joined Manchester City in 2017 before returning to the Catalan giants four years later.

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