Maniche has denied making a statement attacking Cristiano Ronaldo, describing the words circulating online as completely fabricated and warning that they risk creating division around Portugal at a sensitive time.
The former Portugal, Atletico de Madrid and Porto midfielder posted an image of the alleged statement on Instagram. It was stamped “Fake” and labelled: “Warning: fake quote”.
The fabricated comments claimed there was unease among Portugal’s players because discussion of the national team had become focused on Ronaldo. They also contrasted Argentina’s smooth transition from the Lionel Messi era with Portugal’s supposed dependence on a player who did not want another star to share the spotlight.
Maniche rejected the statement in strong terms.
“This statement is not mine. I never said it,” he wrote. “This statement and other invented quotes in my name are being spread by people who use the internet without a conscience to create noise and division at a sensitive moment for the national team.
“I do not recognise myself in these words or in this position. What I think, I say with my head held high.”
He repeated his denial in a further message, adding: “This statement is not mine. I never said it. Full stop. Someone decided to invent it, put my picture on it and publish it as if it were real.
“It is not the first time and it will not be the last. This is not an opinion or journalism. It is the invention of lies to generate clicks, hatred and division at the expense of the national team, at a time when it needs anything but that.”
Maniche said he expressed his views publicly and urged people to check the source of material before sharing it.
“I give my opinions live, with my head held high and in my own name,” he said. “Anyone who wants to know what I think should hear it from me, not from fake accounts.
“And to those who shared the post in good faith: before pressing the share button, check the source. A lie only spreads because someone passes it on.”
The denial came amid a growing dispute between Ronaldo and Portugal manager Jorge Jesus. Tensions reached a peak when Ronaldo left the national team’s camp in Copenhagen after remaining on the bench for the whole of the match against Norway.
Portugal are due to face Norway again in Porto on Sunday evening, with Ronaldo absent.
