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Cristiano Ronaldo has been dropped from Portugal’s starting line-up for tonight’s round of 16 clash against Switzerland after angering manager Fernando Santos when he was substituted against South Korea.
The 37-year-old, who has scored one goal in the tournament so far, from a penalty in Portugal’s opener against Ghana, was visibly unhappy after being pulled off after 65 minutes in last week’s 2-1 loss. .
Santos admitted on Monday that he was not happy with Ronaldo’s reaction, but insisted the matter had been resolved. However, he stopped short of confirming that the striker would start from the beginning.
Cristiano Ronaldo, named in the bench for the clash of Portugal against Switzerland
Portugal coach Fernando Santos (left) was unimpressed by Ronaldo’s reaction to being substituted during their loss to South Korea last week.
Ronaldo has paid the price for his reaction and has been named on the bench, with Goncalo Ramos replacing him up front.
Portugal is looking to win the World Cup for the first time in its history, in what will likely be the last time Ronaldo will take part in the competition. The striker has scored in five consecutive World Cups.
However, even despite his goalscoring prowess, the clubless attacker is now proving a divisive member of the team among the Portuguese supporters.
Portuguese newspaper A Bola published a poll last week asking its readers if Ronaldo should start against Switzerland. And, perhaps surprisingly, an overwhelming 70 percent said no.
Although perhaps a bit questionable, SofaScore also named him among the worst XI in the World Cup group stage on Saturday.
Santos has now made a big call to leave Ronaldo out of his line-up for Portugal’s first knockout game in Qatar.
The forward has remained on the bench after receiving a public sanction when he was substituted last Friday
Manchester City duo Ruben Dias and Bernado Silva return to the squad, along with Bruno Fernandes, after resting for Portugal’s final group stage game.
Confirmed eleven from Portugal: Costa, Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro, Otavio, Carvalho, Silva, Fernandes, Ramos, Felix
Fans have been reacting to Ronaldo’s shock omission on Twitter, with one follower claiming the striker is “done” after being eliminated.
‘Ronaldo fell, this is the right decision because he is finished!’ they wrote.
Another fan added that it was not a surprise that Ronaldo’s attitude upset Santos.
“Ronaldo fell again for his attitude,” they added.
“Ronaldo was knocked down in Portugal’s first World Cup knockout game, you couldn’t make it up…” another fan wrote.
It’s been a tough few weeks for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner after his contract with Manchester United was terminated last month following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan where he criticized the club.
One fan joked that Ronaldo will have to do another interview with Morgan to explain his latest setback.
‘Ronaldo is down. Piers he will have to do another interview,’ they wrote.
Ronaldo has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr side, although Ronaldo’s team have denied claims that he will join them on January 1.
Reports emerged on Monday morning suggesting he was about to strike a huge deal that would have seen the five-time Ballon d’Or winner close to €200m (£173m) a season, before sources close to Ronaldo told Sportsmail. they were ‘nonsense’.
However, with the domestic campaign restarting almost immediately after the World Cup ends, Ronaldo will have to find a club sooner rather than later.
For now though, his focus is on Portugal, but he will have to watch from the bench, at least for the start of tonight’s game.
Portugal is the heavy favorite to beat Switzerland, and if they beat their European opponents, they will face Morocco in the quarterfinals after beating Spain on penalties in their round of 16 clash.
If Portugal advances, they will play Morocco on Saturday, December 10 at Al Thumama Stadium, at 15:00 GMT.