Elma Aveiro defends Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal exit

Elma Aveiro has publicly defended Cristiano Ronaldo after his departure from Portugal’s national-team camp, attacking the treatment of her brother and criticising the organisation around the squad. Her intervention adds a sharp family response to the dispute surrounding the forward’s exit.

Ronaldo left the gathering on Wednesday, shortly after coach Jorge Jesus held a press conference. Jesus had kept the five-time Ballon d’Or winner on the bench for Portugal’s previous match against Norway on Sunday, which ended in a 2-1 defeat. Ronaldo later said on Instagram that he had decided to leave after speaking with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation.

The forward did not immediately provide a full explanation. He said he would disclose the reasons for his decision to the Portuguese public at a later stage. That left his departure linked publicly to the circumstances around his omission from the starting line-up and the coach’s subsequent comments.

Aveiro’s message said Ronaldo had been owed greater respect and that the national team needed stronger organisation. She also criticised Portuguese journalism for speculation and lack of competence. Her comments went further against the Portuguese public, whom she portrayed as envious, dismissive and uninformed, while contrasting the current era with what she described as the mediocrity of Portuguese football before Ronaldo. She then indicated that her message had made her position clear.