Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has insisted that former Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo won't cause a rift in Portugal's World Cup camp after being dropped.
Ronaldo was named among the substitutes for Portugal's Round of 16 clash against Switzerland, with manager Fernando Santos admitting that he was not impressed with the 37-year-old's reaction to being substituted against South Korea.
The veteran frontman came on to replace Joao Felix in the 73rd minute on Tuesday night, but he was unable to get on the scoresheet as he continues to chase Eusebio's World Cup goal record. Goncalo Ramos, who started in place of Ronaldo in attack, scored a hat-trick in the 6-1 victory.
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Despite Ronaldo cutting a frustrated-looking figure among the substitutes before coming on for his late cameo, City star Bernardo has insisted that he has not been a disruptive influence in the dressing room.
Asked if ex-United man Ronaldo could create any problems in the camp, he said: "I don't think so. I think he is helping us. Today he showed a great personality inside the dressing room, and he was fine.
"Of course, sometimes he might not be happy because everyone wants to play. But he helped us a lot in his role and his attitude was great.''
United midfielder Bruno Fernandes also defended Ronaldo, admitting that his former Reds teammate is understandably 'angry' about being dropped to the bench.
"He was like everyone else. Do you think anyone likes to be on the bench?'' said Fernandes. ''I think Jose Sa, he didn't play one game, one minute. He knows that he is the third goalkeeper. Probably he is not happy to be on the bench.
"So, do you think Cristiano will be happy? If the manager in the next game put me on the bench, I will be angry with him.
''We won the first two games [at the World Cup] with Cristiano in the first XI. If Cristiano had played, he could have scored three goals and no one was speaking about Cristiano being on the bench.
"Cristiano is doing his job, doing his part, he's happy with the result because the goal for everyone is to go as far as possible.''
Ronaldo is expected to start from the bench for Portugal against Morocco in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
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