Nuno Mendes says he is “proud” to play for Portugal after Cristiano Ronaldo called out those who don’t want to represent the national team.

Ronaldo said he is “disappointed” in players who do not want to represent Portugal and insisted there is “nothing better than playing for the national team, representing your country, your culture” while collecting an award in his homeland this week.

The Al Nassr star did not name any players he was referring to, but it could not have been Paris Saint-Germain defender Mendes, who responded to the captain’s comment.

“Everyone has their own opinion,” he told reporters.

“I can speak for myself, I am very proud to represent Portugal and I think it shows, I give my all on the pitch and in training.

“I will always give my all and I will always be available to be here.”

Ronaldo and Mendes will both expect to feature when Portugal take on Poland in the Nations League on November 15, which will be followed by a clash against Croatia
three days later.

Portugal and Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha has suffered an abductor injury and will have to take a break for around three weeks, according to Sky Sports Germany.

This was the result after an initial examination while on international duty with the Portuguese national team.

Palhinha is now at risk of missing some important fixtures for Bayern which include their Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain, a Bundesliga fixture against Borussia Dortmund and a German Cup match against Bayern
Leverkusen.