Bruno Fernandes takes action after waves of abuse from Cristiano Ronaldo fans

Bruno Fernandes was targeted by abusive Cristiano Ronaldo fans following Portugal’s World Cup exit at the hands of Spain.

The Manchester United skipper was forced to turn off his replies after uploading a post expressing his sadness at their last-16 exit.

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Portugal slipped to a last-gasp 1-0 defeat to their Iberian neighbours to cap off an underwhelming World Cup campaign.

And with it goes Ronaldo’s last chance of emulating long-time rival Lionel Messi in lifting football’s greatest prize.

And it appears that the wounds inflicted by Monday’s loss are showing no signs of healing. 

What did Fernandes say about Portugal’s World Cup exit?

 “Sad, frustrated, and disillusioned,” Fernandes wrote on X on Thursday.

“This group of players made my expectations high, not only for the quality, but also for the fact of the incredible group that we built over these years. 

“Thank you to all the players, technical team, and all the staff who accompanied and helped us every day during the World Cup. 

“To all the Portuguese, a huge thank you for your support and belief.”

However, some fans appeared to take issue with his use of the word ‘disillusioned’ believing it was a dig at Ronaldo.

Fernandes was among a group of Portugal stars accused of wrecking Ronaldo’s last chance at World Cup glory in the wake of their opening group stage clash – a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo last month.

Other stars targeted were Paris Saint-Germain duo Joao Neves and Vitinha and Chelsea winger Pedro Neto.

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Fans had pinned their hopes on the quartet providing ammunition for Ronaldo to fire Portugal to success.

Neves was inundated with abusive messages on his Instagram after describing Ronaldo as ‘Just another player’ in an interview, leaving fans angered by his response.

The midfielder’s stance was an attempt to praise the squad’s unity by emphasising that no single player is bigger than the collective.

The toxicity filtered through to Neves’ partner, actress Madalena Aragão who was forced to turn off comments on her Instagram posts.

Fuelling the fire

Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro had previously claimed ‘civil war’ was brewing in the Portugal camp when she liked an Instagram post from a fan account.

The post accused Fernandes of failing to live up to expectations for his country and compared him to Brazil winger Raphinha.

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It read: “Bruno Fernandes looks like a different player in the national team jersey…

“When Portugal needs a leader the most, he disappears from the game and leaves the responsibility on others’ shoulders.

“Lots of talent, lots of media attention, but where’s the decisiveness in the big moments?

“The fans expect a star who steps up when the pressure mounts, not someone who vanishes when the game gets tough.”

Aveiro later added: “Magically, they forgot how to: pass the ball; win it back; launch counter-attacks. The game became all about passing backwards in midfield… strange World Cup. Very strange.”

As a result of the drama, Fernandes took the decision to close all replies to his post with Ronaldo fans showing where their allegiances lie.

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One fan wrote: “He knows everybody knows he is a selfish player sabotaging Ronaldo for gaining his own spotlight.”

Another replied: “Bruno Fernandes locking his comments section shows that everything said about him and his fellow midfielders during this World Cup is true.”

A third added: “On the pitch, nowhere to be found, Portugal eliminated and he still disables the comments.”

Fernandes did receive the backing of some supporters who felt the 31-year-old had been an unfair target.

“We have to accept he is too old to start due to energy demands, not technicalities,” one fan wrote. “He can still score goals at 41, but he needs space and pace, which he now lacks. Stop blaming innocent players for Ronaldo.”

Arsenal’s Mikel Merino was the matchwinner for Spain in an otherwise drab affair.

Ronaldo previously confirmed that this year’s World Cup would be his last.

And it was a final act for Portugal boss Roberto Martinez who confirmed he was leaving his position after the defeat.

The Spaniard has since been linked with the vacant Scotland head coach role.