Cristiano Ronaldo's sister fuels Portugal dressing-room storm, backs criticism of Bruno Fernandes after DR Congo draw

Portugal entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 as one of the favourites for the title, but the former European champions stumbled in their opening Group K fixture.

Updated on: Jun 18, 2026, 21:51:04 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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Speculation over tensions within the Portugal camp intensified after Cristiano Ronaldo's sister liked an Instagram post criticising Bruno Fernandes following the team's disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo in Houston on Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo-Bruno Fernandes rift rumours gather pace

Portugal entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 as one of the favourites for the title, but the former European champions stumbled in their opening Group K fixture.

Joao Neves had given Roberto Martinez's side the lead with a well-taken header, but DR Congo seized control soon after and levelled through Yoane Wissa just before half-time. Despite dominating possession for large periods, Portugal struggled to break down Congo's disciplined defensive structure.

The performance drew widespread criticism, with Ronaldo once again facing scrutiny over his place in the starting XI. The 41-year-old, appearing at a record sixth World Cup, has now gone 10 consecutive matches at major tournaments without scoring. Fernandes also came under fire after creating just one chance during the match.

The debate escalated when Ronaldo's elder sister, Katia Aveiro, appeared to endorse criticism of Fernandes by liking an Instagram post from a Brazilian football page. The post accused the Manchester United midfielder of failing to replicate his club form for Portugal and compared him to Barcelona winger Raphinha, who has faced similar criticism for his performances with Brazil.

"Portugal's version of Raphinha. Too much popcorn for the national team," the post read alongside a picture of Fernandes.

This is not the first time rumours of friction between Ronaldo and Fernandes have surfaced.

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In 2022, shortly after Ronaldo's explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he criticised Manchester United and then-manager Erik ten Hag, a video showing Fernandes greeting Ronaldo at Portugal's World Cup training camp went viral. Many interpreted the exchange as frosty, fuelling suggestions of a rift between the two teammates.

Fernandes later dismissed those claims, insisting the interaction had been taken out of context.

"I have no problem with anyone," he said after Portugal's 4-0 warm-up win over Nigeria ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

"I do my job and, as a manager once told me, the only thing you can control is yourself. I think everyone feels the same way. You focus on yourself, give your best and that's it."

With Portugal already under pressure after dropping points in their opening game, Katia's social media activity has only added fuel to the growing conversation surrounding Ronaldo, Fernandes and the atmosphere within the national team camp.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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