Cristiano Ronaldo receiving advice from Portugal coach Fernando Santos amid Juventus transfer speculation

Forward has been linked with a return to Real Madrid by some Spanish outlets

Cristiano Ronaldo with Portugal coach Fernando Santos (AFP via Getty Images)

Criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent Juventus form and talks of a transfer are not affecting the Portugal captain’s morale ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on Wednesday, the forward’s national team coach Fernando Santos has said.

Ronaldo came under fire following Juventus’ Champions League exit in the round of 16 earlier this month, when 10-man Porto advanced on away goals.

Porto’s decisive goal came from a free-kick that went through Ronaldo’s legs as he turned in the wall, with the front page of the Corriere dello Sport reading: “Betrayed by Ronaldo”.

“When Cristiano is with the national team, he always comes with the same vision, the same passion, the same will, the same joy,” Santos said.

“He always gives 100 per cent when he comes to the national team.

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“I don’t think he has any problem in terms of mentality at the moment.”

Ronaldo has been linked with a return to Real Madrid, who he left to join Juve in 2018, by some Spanish media outlets and Santos said he would be happy to talk to him about his future.

“I give advice to Cristiano personally. I was his head coach when he was 18, and we have a close relationship,” Santos said.

“We talk a lot, but these are private conversations between friends. We don’t really have a coach-player relationship, but it is different when he is in the national team. If he asks me for any advice, I will let him know what I think.”

Reuters