Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister has said she wants him ‘to come home’, saying the family has ‘suffered enough’.
The Portugal captain had already been defended by a family member after national coach Fernando Santos let him down for a final draw against Switzerland and saw the side win 6-1.
Santos’ huge appeal has reaped huge rewards, with Ronaldo’s status at the top of the game now in doubt at club and international level after an incredible career.
His replacement against the Swiss, Goncalo Ramos, netted the first World Cup hat-trick to make matters worse for Ronaldo as his chances of regaining his place look remote.
In the days following the match, drama stirred over whether the 37-year-old is training with the substitutes or the starting players, while some reports have even claimed he could leave early.
Ronaldo has since denied the claims on social media, saying “the group is too close to be broken apart by outside forces”, but that’s not enough for his sister.
After a brother, Elma, called Santos’ decision a humiliation, Katia Aveiro has now posted her thoughts on Instagram.
Based on a positive observation, she writes: “Portugal has won. Thank God. New talents have appeared. Tremendous. Are we going to win this? I believe him!!
“On the pitch they were screaming for Ronaldo. It wasn’t Portugal to win…And it’s not me saying that. The world watched…. Why is that??? Glad Portugal won won… (I saw Portugal win so many times).
“And that does not invalidate the majority of the Portuguese people. And that’s what’s wrong because they keep swearing, insisting on offense and ingratitude.
“So sad from what I read and hear, not here in Qatar but in my country, in his country…
But it’s really sad.”
She then revealed that she desperately wanted her brother to come home, saying, “AND I WANTED IT SO MUCH.
“I really wanted him to come home, leave the national team and sit with us so we could hug him and tell him everything is fine, remind him of what he’s achieved and what house he comes from.
“I really didn’t want him to go there anymore, we’ve been through enough already (they’ll never know how great) you are awesome and the little ones don’t realize how huge you are…
“Come home. This is where they understand you, where they embrace you. As it always has been. Where is all the gratitude. And no ingratitude. Thank you Ronaldo [followed by five more thank yous]
“I really wanted to… But you decide what you decide, we are with you.” Until death does. Thanks.”
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