Portugal's Bernardo Silva backs Ronaldo after explosive interview

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva (20) celebrates during the exhibition match against FC Bayern Munich on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK

World Cup 2022: Portugal's Bernardo Silva backs Cristiano Ronaldo after explosive interview

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 11/16/22

There are a lot of polarizing opinions across the greater soccer landscape when it comes to Cristiano Ronaldo, especially after the bombshell interview he just did with Piers Morgan.

But his fellow countrymen appear to still have his back, as Portugal national football team midfielder Bernardo Silva expressed ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.

"The reality is when you’ve got a player like Cristiano, it’s natural that sometimes you play for him because he can win you the game in the final minutes," Silva told FIFA's website.

Silva has been quoted all over Twitter for saying the team is playing "for" Ronaldo, who is likely playing in his final World Cup.

Man City midfielder Bernardo Silva talking about Cristiano Ronaldo. pic.twitter.com/St2rGN5FUU
— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) November 16, 2022

The resounding support for Silva and others playing for Portugal is an about-face from the media storm that engulfed Ronaldo after he told Morgan that Manchester United was actively working to get rid of him before slamming the team for not updating their workout equipment and openly saying he doesn't respect team manager Erik ten Hag.

When asked about the interview debacle this week, teammate Joao Mario said the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is unfazed by the media scrutiny -- as is the rest of the team.

"The focus is always on him, and we are used to that," Mario said Tuesday, via ESPN.

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