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‘It’s a shame to HUMILIATE a man who has given so much’: Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister criticizes Portugal coach Fernando Santos for putting the 37-year-old on the bench in the 6-1 win over Switzerland… calling the decision a ‘great injustice’
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister took to social media to criticize Fernando Santos’ decision to bench her brother in Portugal’s impressive 6-1 win over Switzerland on Tuesday night.
Elma Aveiro lashed out at the Portuguese manager, claiming he was humiliating her brother, adding that she did not know why Santos had left the 37-year-old out of his starting XI and that she could not understand it.
Portugal seemed to have no need for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as they thrashed Switzerland, with Goncalo Ramos turning in a three-goal performance that has received widespread acclaim.
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Ronaldo’s relegation to the bench for Portugal grabbed headlines in the run-up to the match.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made his way through the tunnel after the final whistle
Aveiro took to Instagram to share his tirade about the decision to leave out his brother, who started on the bench in a major international tournament knockout match for the first time since Euro 2008.
Elma Aveiro assured that Fernando Santos was humiliating his brother
“Today we are all together, if you think it has to be like this, I’m here to see it,” he began, posting a picture of the Portugal team before kick-off.
This was followed by a screenshot of a reaction from one of his supporters saying they couldn’t ‘believe’ the decision to leave Ronaldo out, with Aveiro stating: ‘I don’t know why and I don’t understand but I’m sure I that we will have the answers from God later, he does not fail, let’s see.’
However, Portugal excelled in his absence, brushing Switzerland aside in a scintillating 6-1 win to set up a quarter-final clash with Morocco, which stunned Spain on penalties on Tuesday.
Ronaldo took the field anyway, but only in the 73rd minute with his team already 5-1 up, though his substitution was greeted with the roars one would expect after a goal.
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The former Manchester United star walked directly past the press panels and film crews.
After the final whistle, Aveiro congratulated his country on their decisive performance, before reigniting his scathing criticism of Santos’ decision.
“Yes, Ronaldo is not eternal, yes, Ronaldo will not play forever, unfortunately he does not score goals now, he is old, Portugal does not need Ronaldo,” he continued.
‘We talked about what we heard, everything he did is not important, everything he did was forgotten.
‘Now they ask for forgiveness and they don’t need it. I’ll record that and then we’ll talk.
Aveiro congratulated Portugal on the victory before continuing his criticism of Santos’ decision
‘Rui Santos, what are you going to apologize for? Now we can fuck whoever we want.
“It’s a shame to humiliate a man who has given so much, but then I will see much more.”
Naturally, the 37-year-old’s absence from the starting lineup stole the headlines in the run-up to the round of 16, but Santos has since claimed he was left out for tactical reasons.
“This is something that is finished and resolved,” he said when asked about his high-profile call. “It’s also important to look at the example of this player’s history, he is one of the best players in the world.”