Georgina Rodriguez rants at Fernando Santos after not starting Cristiano Ronaldo against Morocco

Cristiano Ronaldo’s partner Georgina Rodríguez has criticized Portugal coach Fernando Santos for failing to start the striker in their upset World Cup quarterfinal loss to Morocco.

Ronaldo was dropped from the starting line-up on Tuesday when Portugal faced Switzerland in the round of 16, and his replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scored a hat-trick, prompting Santos to select Ramos ahead of Ronaldo once again. against Morocco.

This decision did not bear fruit as Portugal could not find their way and were eliminated after Youssef En-Nesyri’s winner in the first half. Ronaldo was introduced six minutes after the break, but was unable to turn the game in his team’s favor, and Rodríguez criticized Santos for not making the substitution sooner.

Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of Portugal’s starting eleven in the defeat against Morocco

His teammate Georgina Rodríguez criticized coach Fernando Santos for not starting Ronaldo

Along with a photo of Ronaldo, Rodríguez posted on Instagram: “Today your friend and coach made a bad decision. That friend for whom you have so many words of admiration and respect.

‘The same one who, when you got into the game, saw how everything changed, but it was too late. The best player in the world, the most powerful weapon of him, cannot be underestimated.

‘You can’t defend someone who doesn’t deserve it either. Life gives us lessons. Today we have not lost, we have learned.’

Rodriguez’s comments come after Santos insisted he had not fallen out with Ronaldo and claimed the pair still have a “very close relationship” despite his decision to part ways with the former Manchester United striker.

Rodríguez was in the stands supporting Portugal when they were knocked out of the World Cup.

Rodríguez believes Ronaldo made a positive impact off the bench, although full-time stats suggest he struggled to get into the game in the second half.

The 37-year-old only had 10 touches once he came on, managing just one shot that was well saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Bono.

Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, also reacted to the loss, calling on Portugal’s players to keep their heads up after the defeat.

“Sad for the team, now it’s time to lift your head and move on… God knows everything,” he wrote on Instagram.

Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, urged the Portugal players to keep their heads up after the defeat.

Aveiro also shared a post on his Instagram with the hashtag #SantosOut as he appeared to indicate that it is time for the Portugal boss to step down.

Ronaldo was looking to win the World Cup on his fifth request but has come up short yet again, and Portugal have now failed to reach the semi-finals since 2006.

He will be 41 by the time the next World Cup rolls around, but his immediate focus is now expected to turn to where he will play club football, with the striker looking for a new team after he terminated his contract with United last month.