Bruno Fernandes has turned off replies to his social media posts following a wave of online abuse after Portugal's elimination from the World Cup. Fans, primarily supporters of Cristiano Ronaldo, have directed criticism at Fernandes and other teammates, accusing them of sabotaging Ronaldo's final World Cup appearance.
The Manchester United midfielder posted a message expressing his sadness, frustration, and disillusionment with the team's performance, thanking the players, technical staff, and support staff. However, this post also drew intense criticism, prompting Fernandes to disable the reply function on his social media accounts.
Accusations of sabotage emerged after Portugal's group stage draw with DR Congo. Fans on platforms like X and Instagram targeted Fernandes, along with Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Pedro Neto, claiming they deliberately underperformed to undermine Ronaldo. These claims were amplified when Ronaldo's sister, Katia Aveiro, liked a post accusing Fernandes of failing to deliver for Portugal and comparing him unfavorably to Brazilian player Raphinha.
Some social media comments specifically targeted Fernandes, with one user writing, "He knows everybody knows he is a selfish player sabotaging Ronaldo for gaining his own spotlight." Another commenter stated, "Bruno Fernandes locking his comments section shows that everything said about him and his fellow midfielders during this World Cup is true."
However, not all reactions supported these accusations. Some users defended Fernandes and his teammates, arguing that Ronaldo himself, at 41, is no longer able to perform effectively in tight spaces, despite still being capable of scoring. These defenders suggested that the team's struggles were due to Ronaldo's physical limitations rather than any deliberate actions by his teammates.
Portugal's World Cup journey concluded with a 1-0 loss to Spain in the round of 16, with Mikel Merino scoring the decisive goal in stoppage time. This match marked Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup appearance, as he had confirmed prior to the tournament. Manager Roberto Martinez also announced his departure following the defeat, stating his objective to win the World Cup had not been met. Jorge Jesus, a former manager of Ronaldo's at Al-Nassr, is set to take over the Portuguese national team.