World Cup 2026: Wayne Rooney blasts Bruno Fernandes, others over Cristiano Ronaldo treatment
Wayne Rooney Criticizes Ronaldo’s Portugal Teammates After World Cup Exit
Wayne Rooney, a former Manchester United and England star, has expressed criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammates following Portugal’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup. Rooney highlighted the players’ preference for passing instead of delivering crosses to Ronaldo, which he believes hindered their chances of success.
Specifically, Rooney targeted Bruno Fernandes, stating that he did not utilize Ronaldo’s strengths adequately. He emphasized that Ronaldo excels when receiving the ball within the penalty area. “When you are playing with Cristiano Ronaldo, you must make use of him,” Rooney said. He lamented that Fernandes opted against sending the ball into the box, where Ronaldo could have made an impact.
“If you include him in the game, you need to utilize him; he remains a significant threat for Portugal during set pieces,” Rooney continued. He advised against passing the ball from long distances, asserting that Ronaldo’s effectiveness diminishes outside the penalty area.
Spain’s Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in the 91st minute, leading his team to a quarter-final matchup and sending Ronaldo and his squad home. Fernandes, amid the criticism, finished the tournament with only one assist in five matches.