Manchester United Midfielder Fred Expresses Ronaldo’s Fears Of Being A Part Of The Play-Offs

Manchester United midfielder, Fred has opened up about Ronaldo being afraid of Portugal not qualifying for this year’s World Cup directly. Portugal missed out on automatic qualification to the finals after they suffered a shocker to Serbia back in November.

They were well on course to make the cut for the finals when Renato Sanches put their nose ahead with an early strike. Despite Dusan Tadic’s 33^rd minute equalizer it never felt that they can end up on the losing side. It was Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic who smashed home the winner to condemn Portugal to the play-offs.

To ensure their residence in the most prestigious contest of the world, Portugal will have to navigate a tricky maze of two games that will feature a semi-final and final with a win necessary to survive in both the games. They will be facing the difficult Turkey in the semis and should they proceed, they will collide with the likes of either the impregnable or an inspired North Macedonia.

This is what Fred had to say about Cristiano Ronaldo

Visibly upset at not making the direct qualification, Ronaldo has urged his Portuguese teammates to batten up their hatches so that they find themselves alongside the elites of the world in the biggest football stage of them all. Ronaldo’s Manchester United teammate, Fred has, however, assured Ronaldo that the credentials that precede him are the biggest reason why he should not be worried.

Eurosport quoted that Fred was heard saying, “We talk a little bit about this. Of course, he’s very upset about not qualifying directly for the World Cup.”

He then further added, “But, as a great player and as their captain, he knows how to prepare his teammates in order to qualify. Obviously, he was very upset but he will work hard to be at the World Cup. Everybody knows that he wants to win everything, every time. So, rest assured he will work hard to be at this World Cup.”

Ronaldo found the back of the net a staggering six times out of which his late brace against Ireland underlined the defiance that he brings along with himself to the table even in the face of the biggest odds.