Defender says squad is focused on Dragão fixture and coach Jesus’s instructions
Portugal defender Nuno Mendes has said the national team players are not responsible for deciding Cristiano Ronaldo’s future with the squad, insisting their focus remains on the next match.
Mendes spoke as Portugal prepares to play at the Dragão, amid continued attention on Ronaldo’s departure from the team’s camp.
“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,” the Paris Saint-Germain defender said. “As for the rest, it’s not for us to decide.”
He added that the squad would welcome any player who joins the team.
Coach Jorge Jesus also urged his players to concentrate on the Dragão match. “After the Dragão match, we’ll see what happens,” he said.
Meanwhile, defender Renato Veiga said he remains close to Ronaldo but declined to discuss the issue. “I’ve been instructed not to talk about this,” he said.
Ronaldo left the training camp after he was left out of the team’s plans for the opening Nations League matches under Jesus.
