Bruno Fernandes has revealed why Cristiano Ronaldo has instances of frustration in matches after Portugal sealed qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Fernandes said that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is a hungry striker and he gets frustrated when he doesn't score.
The match-winner said it's natural for strikers to express frustration when they don't score. Cristiano Ronaldo set Bruno Fernandes up for the first goal against North Macedonia. The 27-year-old also scored the second goal, assisted by Diogo Jota in the second half to help Portugal qualify for the Qatar World Cup.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo seemed frustrated, at times raising his arms in fury for not scoring goals in the two qualifier matches.
Speaking to TUDN after the win against North Macedonia, Fernandes revealed why Cristiano Ronaldo was frustrated. Explaining Ronaldo's frustration in the match, Fernandes said:
"Because he's the striker, he wants to score goals, it's normal, Cristiano, like any striker, lives off goals, if he can't score them, frustration is normal, I want him to be angry if he doesn't score, because I want him to score goals all the games, for me he has to do them, not that he has the obligation, but because he is our striker, we have the obligation to try to follow the strikers in the best possible way.''
The 27-year-old said that he wants all the Portuguese strikers, including their legend Cristiano Ronaldo, to score more and more goals. He added:
"I want him to be angry, Jota to be angry, Joao Félix , all the other strikers, André , everyone has to be angry if they don't score goals, happy because we won the game, but angry because they don't score goals, it's the striker's job, to score goals.''
Finishing second in their qualifying group after losing to Serbia on the last match day, Portugal entered the playoffs for a place in this year's showpiece event. They held on to win 3-1 against a dangerous Turkish side who threatened to equalize in the dying embers of the game. The match against North Macedonia was a more straightforward affair as A Selecao qualified for their sixth straight FIFA World Cup.
Portugal's Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva will be a force to recon in the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Portugal have successfully completed their task of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, beating Turkey and North Macedonia comfortably in the qualifiers.
The Portuguese trident of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes rose to the occasion for their national team. The trio played an exceptional role in both the qualifiers, and will certainly be a formidable force to reckon with in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Bernardo Silva's shot was deflected from the post and was well placed for Otavio to score Portugal's first goal against Turkey. The three experienced campaigners were key in getting through the first hurdle vs Turkey, while Fernandes' brace against North Macedonia got them through to Qatar.
The legendary Portuguese captain may not have contributed immensely to the goals scored. But his leadership on the pitch and hunger to reach the World Cup rallied his teammates to reach the promised land.
Portugal will look to build upon the three forwards to challenge opponents at the World Cup later this year.