Maniche denies fabricated criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo amid Portugal dispute

Former Portugal midfielder Maniche has denied making comments attacking Cristiano Ronaldo, describing the remarks circulating online as entirely fabricated and urging people to stop sharing “lies” during a sensitive period for the national team.

Maniche posted an image of the alleged statement on Instagram with the word “Fake” stamped across it and the heading: “Warning: fake quote”.

The fabricated quote claimed there was unrest among Portugal’s players because discussion of the national team always became focused on Ronaldo. It also compared Argentina’s smooth transition from the Lionel Messi era with Portugal, which it alleged was “stuck with a player who does not want any other star to exist”.

“This statement is not mine. I never said it,” Maniche wrote. “This statement and other fabricated quotes are being circulated in my name 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 added: “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 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, who previously played for Atletico de Madrid and Porto, said he gives his views publicly and under his own name.

“I express 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.”

His denial comes during an escalating dispute between Ronaldo and Portugal manager Jorge Jesus. The tension reached a peak when Ronaldo left the Portugal camp in Copenhagen after remaining on the substitutes’ bench for the entire match against Norway.

Portugal are due to face Norway again in Porto on Sunday evening, with Ronaldo absent.

Maniche’s response to the false quote was also shared by Cabine Desportiva on 4 October 2026, alongside a message saying he had denied making the other statements that had circulated in recent days and had been invented.