Portuguese players idolize Cristiano Ronaldo, many saying it is a “dream” to play with him, but young striker Goncalo Ramos joked on Saturday that he wouldn’t accept a piece of chewing gum from his compatriot.
Ronaldo, who scored a penalty in Portugal’s 3-2 win over Ghana, was photographed chewing on what he had taken off his shorts during the match.
2022 FIFA World Cup Points Table | FIFA World Cup 2022 schedule | FIFA World Cup 2022 Results | FIFA World Cup 2022 Golden Boot
The 37-year-old forward, with no club following his acrimonious split with Manchester United this week, became the first player to score in five World Cups.
“Of course not,” laughed Ramos at a press conference, when asked if he would accept a piece of Ronaldo’s chewing gum if offered.
“Not him or anyone else, just my brother.”
Ramos said Ronaldo, the all-time leading men’s international goalscorer, was someone the other players looked up to in the Portugal dressing room.
“It’s a point of reference for everyone,” added Ramos.
“He’s an idol and leads the team but he’s not the only one. We have others like Bruno Fernandes or Pepe, who can also manage and help Cristiano.
Read also | FIFA World Cup 2022: ‘I think we had a better chance of winning four years ago’ – Eden Hazard
Benfica striker Ramos, 21, came on as a substitute against Ghana and is looking forward to facing former team-mate Darwin Nunez when Portugal take on Uruguay on Monday.
Nunez moved to Liverpool in the summer for 85 million pounds ($103 million).
“He’s a great player and besides being my former teammate, he’s a friend of mine, (but) we’re well prepared to face him,” added Ramos.
Portugal trained on Saturday with 24 of their 26 players involved, while Otavio and Nuno Mendes, the latter missing the opener with muscle strain, did recovery work in the gym.
Read all the latest sports news here
