The Portugal captain, likely preparing to play in his fifth and final World Cup, appeared all smiles as he and the likes of Joao Felix prepared for the tournament which starts on Sunday, November 20. The pictures come just a day after Ronaldo’s bombshell interview with Piers Morgan was revealed, in which he made a number of inflammatory claims about Manchester United, Erik ten Haag and Ralf Rangnick, among others. Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to put the fallout from his interview behind him as he stepped up his preparations for Qatar. Preparing in the City of Football, the country’s hub for the national team, Ronaldo was seen warming up and joking with Felix, another player who is rumored to be having a tough time with his club at the moment, as well as his former club of Real Madrid – friend Pepe. Ronaldo, who warmed up alongside Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo and Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, appeared to have his full attention on the national team. This was despite Manchester United acknowledging Ronaldo’s interview on Monday afternoon, releasing a short statement saying they were aware of the interview, which is set to air in full on Wednesday and Thursday evenings on TalkTV. “The club will consider their response once the full facts have been established. Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief and unity that is being built between the players, manager, staff and fans,” the statement said. Brief excerpts of Ronaldo’s interview, released on Sunday night, hours after Alejandro Garnazzo scored a goal at the death to win it for Ten Haag’s side, appear to have already ignited his relationship with the club’s fans , with many on social media declaring his legacy dead. in the water. In the interview, amid a series of explosive revelations, Ronaldo claimed he felt he was being pushed out of the club by Ten Haag and various figures. Ronaldo was spotted laughing with former Real Madrid team-mate Pepe in training on Monday “I don’t respect him because he doesn’t show respect for me,” Ronaldo told Morgan. “Some people don’t want me here – not just the manager but the other two or three guys. Not only this year, but last year as well. “Honestly, I shouldn’t say that. But listen, I don’t care. People need to hear the truth. Yes, I feel betrayed.’ Ronaldo and Portugal’s coaches all appeared in good spirits before the World Cup kicked off While he also accused the club of not keeping up with the times, saying they have been overtaken by Liverpool, Manchester City – and now even Arsenal. He said: “Since Sir Alex Ferguson left I haven’t seen any development at the club, zero progress. Nothing changed. Not only the pool, the jacuzzi, even the gym. They stopped in time, which surprised me a lot. “I think the fans should know the truth. I want the best for the club. But you have some things in you [the club] that don’t help us get to the top level like City, Liverpool and even now Arsenal.” Ronaldo launches shocking attack on former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick He then planted his tanks on Rangnik’s lawn, who he said wasn’t even a “trainer”. “After Ole, they bring the sports directive Ralf Rangnick, which no one understands,” he said. “This guy isn’t even a coach. A big club like Manchester United bringing a sports directive surprised not only me but the whole world. “If you’re not even a manager, how are you going to be the boss of Manchester United? I had never heard of him.” Ronaldo said Rangnick was ‘not a coach’ and didn’t know who he was before going to Ronaldo, also said he has no respect for current Manchester United manager Erik ten Haag (left) Having previously defended him to the hilt, even staunch Rio Ferdinand could find no justification for Ronaldo’s actions and words in his Morgan interview. “You can’t sit here and defend that from Cristiano Ronaldo,” Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five podcast. “Deep down and I know for a fact, this is all built for one thing – and that’s to get him out of the club.” Ronaldo heads to Qatar for his fifth and final World Cup bid. It has come no closer than its tournament debut in which Portugal finished fourth after being knocked out by France.
