Cristiano Ronaldo says no one knows why Bruno Fernandes won't leave Sporting Lisbon to better his career on the continent.
Fernandes was strongly linked with a move to both Manchester United and Tottenham all summer and was expected to complete a £70million switch.
But a deal failed to materialise and Fernandes stayed put in Portugal.
Discussing his compatriot, Ronaldo - who previously left Sporting Lisbon to kick-start his own career at Manchester United - suggested the midfielder is holding himself back.
"In the national team you have Cancelo, Bruno Fernandes, who nobody knows why he doesn't leave," Ronaldo told TVI.
"In the national team, you have a lot of talent, so I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Possibly this new generation will be the best at the talent level, but that's not enough.
"They have to want to. I have spoken to him. Positive, I'm a captain who wants to help and be helped.
"The atmosphere in the national team is spectacular. The last few years have been the most enjoyable, both because they want to learn and because there is this.
"The most responsible for this is Fernando Santos and the president of the FPF."
