Cristiano Ronaldo's sister has criticised the Portuguese national team and its fans, declaring they "deserve to return to mediocrity" after the Al Nassr forward left the international camp.
Ronaldo walked out of the Portuguese camp on Wednesday evening after being an unused substitute in the 2-1 win over Norway. The 41-year-old, who then refused to train, is reported to have demanded showdown talks with manager Jorge Jesus before leaving.
Ronaldo's statement on Instagram
Posting on Instagram, Ronaldo said: "After the press conference of the national team and following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team training camp.
"In time, I will tell all the Portuguese the truth about the reasons that motivated me to leave."
Sister's criticism of fans and media
Ronaldo's sister, Elma Aveiro, has now criticised the treatment of the football icon. She said: "CR7 deserved more respect as the national team deserved more structure…and Portuguese journalism deserved more competence and less speculation.
"As for the Portuguese people, well… they don't deserve to have the best at anything. We are envious, disdainful, ignorant, and we deserve to return to the mediocrity we always had in football before Cristiano. Thank you for everything, CR7! You deserved more!"
Manager denies any feud
Jesus has denied speculation of a feud and, speaking to media before Portugal's Nations League match against Denmark on Thursday, he said: "There was no incident whatsoever.
"Any player - and I was a player myself - when you spend 20 or 30 minutes warming up and then don't get on, no-one is happy about that."
Jesus added he had told Ronaldo before kick-off against Norway that he would not be in his starting side, but he might be brought on during the match. He added: "Afterwards, as coach, I decided not to bring him on. It's nothing to make a fuss about."
