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Cristiano Ronaldo is back on the BENCH as Fernando Santos opts for the same forward line that ripped Switzerland apart for Portugal’s quarter-final clash against Morocco.
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Fernando Santos has once again opted to leave Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench.
Ronaldo, 37, was named among the substitutes for his country’s round of 16 tie against Switzerland earlier this week, with his replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scoring a hat-trick.
Santos has opted for the same forward line that tore Switzerland to shreds en route to a comprehensive 6-1 victory with a performance that many have called the best of the tournament so far.
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been named among the substitutes in Portugal’s bid to reach the first World Cup semi-final since 2006
The decision risks driving an even bigger wedge between the head coach and his most recognizable player after Santos himself admitted the striker was unhappy with the decision not to start against Switzerland.
“So, that conversation had to happen,” Santos said, revealing that he had informed Ronaldo beforehand that he would not start. ‘I don’t do that with all the players. But he is the captain.
“I had a conversation with Cristiano Ronaldo. We talked about the Portuguese team but the only conversation I had was before the game against Switzerland to tell him why he was going to be a substitute.
Ronaldo was left disappointed after starting on the bench in their round of 16 match against Switzerland.
‘I told him that I was not going to start in the round of 16. He was not happy with the conversation, as usual. But it was a normal conversation where each one showed his point of view.
“When a player is captain of Portugal and starts on the bench, it is normal that he is not happy. When I told him that he wasn’t going to start, he asked me if it was a good idea.
Of course he was not happy. But I assure you that he never wanted to leave.
The decision to drop the player followed Santos’s criticism of him for his reaction to being withdrawn against South Korea.
With just over an hour to go, Ronaldo was knocked out in Portugal’s final group game, failing to add to his only goal of the tournament.
Fernando Santos spoke about the moment he told Ronaldo he would be a substitute in his round of 16 game with Switzerland
Lip readers suggested that Ronaldo uttered words to the effect of “you couldn’t replace me fast enough” as he walked away. He then he raised his arms before sulking on the bench.
However, Santos has called for peace in the midst of a situation that threatens to spill over. He denied that Ronaldo wanted to leave the camp by being benched.
Portugal are on the cusp of their first World Cup semi-final since 2006 with Santos having the perfect opportunity to add to their 2016 European Championship crown.
“He never told me that he wanted to leave. It’s time to end this and stop,’ she said. He left the locker room against Switzerland, warmed up, went running to celebrate the goals with his teammates.
He called his teammates to thank them for their effort, but he got out and left. He went alone. Let’s leave Cristiano Ronaldo alone.
Ronaldo himself congratulated his teammates on social media, writing: “Incredible day for Portugal, with a historic result in the most important event in world football.” Luxury deployment of a team full of talent and youth. Our Selection is in luck. The dream is alive! Until the end! Forward, Portugal!’
Portugal faces Morocco in the first quarterfinals of the day, with France or England (19:00 GMT) awaiting in the semifinals.