Portugal defender Ruben Dias said on Tuesday it was time to focus World Move over the media circus surrounding the cup and Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive interview.
The Manchester City centre-back said that despite the distraction, Ronaldo’s comments had not affected the nation’s bid to win the competition for the first time in their history.
Ronaldo, who has been a peripheral figure for Manchester United this season, criticized the club and coach Erik ten Haag in an interview with Britain’s Talk TV last week.
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He then appeared to share a frosty greeting with Portugal and United team-mate Bruno Fernandes and was also pictured holding Joao Cancelo by the head.
But Dias said it’s time to move on.
Dias said, “I don’t think the Cristiano cases have made a dent in what we’re trying to achieve here, so I don’t have much to say about it.”
“I think we have talked about it enough, there is not much to add. As a team, we will now focus on the World Cup and not on other issues.”
Ronaldo, who scored a world record 117 international goals in men’s football, will captain the team in his fifth World Cup.
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The superstar forward is nonchalant about his interview that caused such an uproar, telling reporters: “I talk when I want to.”
Euro 2016 winners Portugal are among the fancied sides in Qatar but Dias refused to predict how far they could go.
The defender preferred to focus on Portugal’s first opponents Ghana, whom they face on Thursday before playing Uruguay and South Korea.
“We are focused on winning against Ghana,” Dias said.
“Ghana is a strong team physically, technically as well. They have footballers who are playing at the top level in Europe.
“We know we are facing a very dangerous team. We are focused on what we are doing, but Ghana are aware of the difficulties they will face. When they recover the ball they are in transition. get stronger.”
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