Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he shared a joke with Bruno Fernandes during their awkward handshake when meeting up for international duty last week.
The Manchester United duo reunited for Portugal's pre-World Cup training camp at the start of last week, just hours after Ronaldo's bombshell interview with Piers Morgan was made public.
Ronaldo and Fernandes sparked rumours of a rift between the pair when they were seen exchanging words and an awkward handshake in the Portugal dressing room.
Read more: Ronaldo speaks publicly for first time since bombshell interview
Those rumours were soon played down by compatriot Joao Mario, who insisted the duo were sharing a joke and that Ronaldo was fully focused on his World Cup commitments.
“He [Ronaldo] is always happy when he’s with the national team,” Mario told reporters last week. “I’ve seen yesterday he’s quite fine as always and as he said before for him it’s always a pleasure to be here. He’s totally focused on the national team and for sure he’s going to be a big help for us in this World Cup.”
Speaking about the interaction between Ronaldo and Fernandes which has gone viral, he added: "I was in the locker room at that moment, I saw pictures. It was a joke between them. Bruno Fernandes was one of the last to arrive. Cristiano asked: 'Did you come by boat?'”
Ronaldo took part in his own press conference on Monday and reiterated that he and Fernandes were 'playing around' when the joke was shared.
"His plane was late - I asked him did you come by boat," the United forward told reporters.
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