Cristiano Ronaldo's wife swiftly deleted a fake Sir Alex Ferguson quote she posted to hit out at Portugal boss Jorge Jesus. 

Georgina Rodriguez, 32, leapt to the defence of the 41-year-old Portugal captain, who is at the centre of the huge spat having walked out on his country amid his row with the manager. 

She wrote: 'I don't know how this man can carry the name of Christ,' and below her sniping comment was a fictitious quote from Ronaldo's former boss and legendary Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. 

It read: '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.'

Ferguson has not spoken about the Ronaldo row and the quote and imagery appeared to be AI generated. 

Rodriguez quickly deleted what she'd shared on her Instagram story with 78million followers. 

Rodriguez, who is part of a blended family raising five children with Ronaldo, two of whom are biologically hers, is one of the few Ronaldo backers. 

Ronaldo landed in Madrid in the early hours of Thursday morning after flying from Copenhagen, where Portugal faced Denmark on Thursday, on his private jet. He had been seen leaving the Parken Stadium in the Danish capital on Wednesday after missing a third consecutive training session.

Ronaldo later confirmed in a statement on Instagram that he had left the team's camp because of comments made by Jesus in his press conference. 

The feud with his manager started when Ronaldo was left on the bench for Portugal's 2-1 win over Norway – the first time in 18 years he's missed the full 90 minutes for the national side (barring injuries and suspensions). 

Ronaldo said: 'After the national team coach's press conference, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team training camp.

'In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself.

'Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates.' 

Jesus, though, who also managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, insists his conscience is clean.

'It's not difficult for me to focus,' he added. 'You know what's difficult for me? It's not understanding what's going on inside. It's not knowing how to train my players. That's what's difficult for me. The rest... zero.

'What's important is what we have to do. The things that happen don't separate the group, they haven't separated us and they won't separate us.'

Ronaldo's future is now unclear, but team-mate Fernandes is now doing his best to try and salvage the relationship.

'To put an end to this matter once and for all, I don't need to speak with my colleagues,' Fernandes said. 'We know how to manage our situations.

'We have a situation that has nothing to do with the players, and our most important role is to deliver results.'

He continued: 'I had a conversation with Cris. 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 and country, for everything he has done in Portugal and around the world.

'He has a reserved place not only among the best of all time, but also in the hearts of the Portuguese people.

'We cannot divide ourselves; the national team is one, and all parties should resolve their issues behind closed doors. I think that's how it will be, and that everything will end well on both sides.

'We are out of the matter; we spend a lot of time playing cards and are outside the controversy surrounding this issue, but I ask that the country not be divided, not make choices, and accept all sides.

'Cris will always be the greatest icon of our national team, of world football, and deserves the respect of all Portuguese people, regardless of who likes him more or less.'