No intention to offend anyone, Asian, Greek or whatever, it is a well known fact that CR7 (and Messi) is adored in those markets who lack players of that caliber.
This would put some pressure on CR7 and maybe Sarri wanted to protect him for trying too hard to reach those expectations, friendly or not, those guys don't get to see CR7 every day.
And Cristiano is the kind of perfectionist guys who would want to raise to the occasion!