Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva downplayed tension around the national team ahead of Ghana clash on Thursday.
The Black Stars will play the European giants in Group H opener at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Black Stars who are returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018 has been housed in Group H against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner and all-time top international goalscorer in men’s football lashed out at his club Manchester United and coach Erik ten Hag earlier this week when speaking to TalkTV.
But Silva who plies his trade for Manchester City has refused to comment about the issue, saying Ronaldo is motivated and focused ahead of the group opener.
“The news from England has nothing to do with the national team,” said Silva.
“It also has nothing to do with me, so I won’t comment. I’m not a Manchester United player, even if I were, I wouldn’t answer. They’re a rival club, it’s nothing to do with me.”
However, repeatedly asked about Ronaldo and whether there was any tension in the camp after he appeared to share a frosty interaction with club teammate Bruno Fernandes, Silva responded.
“I don’t see any strange atmosphere in our team between Cristiano and another player,” he said.
“It is his matter that he has to resolve individually with the right person.”
“I see a motivated and focused Ronaldo, like everyone else, and he is another player here to help our country and the national team.
“There is a lot of talk about this topic, but we have a World Cup to play. I don’t understand the persistence because there is nothing there.”
Portugal shone in their 4-1 win over Nigeria without Ronaldo, but Silva said it was normal that the team could function well without their talisman.
“He’s part of the team, obviously, but when he’s not there, we know how to respond. Whenever he wasn’t there, we responded well. We’re ready.
“There are 26 of us, it doesn’t matter if it’s one person or another (playing).”