Bento defends Ronaldo, Gabon trip

Portugal coach Paulo Bento has defended the absence of the side's star turn Cristiano
Ronaldo as well as the financial aspect of their friendly against Gabon.

Bento, speaking in Libreville on the eve of Wednesday's game, railed at a suggestion
Ronaldo's no-show may not be for entirely sporting reasons despite the Real Madrid star
having picked up a nasty gash to his head in a game at the weekend.

"If you don't tell me who is suspecting Ronaldo I can't reply to you becaue I can't imagine that
anyone is questioning him," Bento replied to the journalist who posed the question.

"You've seen his (Ronaldo's) eye and the medical report. He wasn't able to travel."