Georgina Rodriguez deletes fake Ferguson quote amid Ronaldo-Portugal manager row

Georgina Rodriguez deleted a social media post containing fabricated quotes attributed to Sir Alex Ferguson on Saturday night, after sharing it with her 78 million Instagram followers in the midst of a growing rift between Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal manager Jorge Jesus.

The post, which disappeared within minutes, claimed Ferguson had said: “If Jorge Jesus knew in his heart that he had no intention of using him, then why did he call him up in the first place? To make a point? That’s not authority, that’s insecurity.” Rodriguez added her own caption: “I don’t know how this man (Jesus) can carry the name of Christ.” The quotes are fabricated and were never made by the former Manchester United manager.

The episode is the latest flashpoint in a rapidly escalating dispute that has thrown Ronaldo’s international future into serious doubt. The 41-year-old left the Portugal squad during the current Nations League break after being named on the bench for a 2-1 victory over Norway. Before departing, he held a crisis meeting with the Portuguese Football Federation and posted a statement on social media promising he would “tell all” about the situation “in time”.

Jesus, who also managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr last season, has made no attempt to smooth things over. The 72-year-old coach has been clear that Goncalo Ramos is his first-choice striker and that Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time record scorer with 146 goals in 234 caps — would need to accept a reduced role.

“The focus has to be on the national team above all else,” Jesus said at a press conference on Saturday. “Ronaldo is a symbol of the national team and of Portugal. After the game, there is plenty of time to talk about that.”

Ronaldo had remained in Europe for several days after leaving camp, fuelling speculation that a reconciliation was possible. However, he is reportedly now planning to fly by private jet back to Saudi Arabia to focus on club football with Al-Nassr.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes confirmed he had spoken to his compatriot but stopped short of taking sides. “I had a conversation with Cris,” Fernandes said. “What I told him is that the most important thing, regardless of what happens, is that he will never cease to be the greatest symbol of our national team.”