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Cristiano Ronaldo’s former Man United manager Rene Meulensteen admits he is “glad” not to be Portugal’s manager and praises Fernando Santos for “showing who’s boss” by leaving the legendary striker on the bench.
Former Manchester United assistant René Meulensteen has praised Portugal manager Fernando Santos for how he handled Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup.
The Portuguese superstar was relegated to the bench for their round of 16 win against Switzerland after he reacted angrily to being substituted in his final group game with South Korea.
Meulensteen worked alongside Ronaldo from his arrival at Old Trafford in January 2007, until the legendary player’s move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009.
René Meulensteen praised Fernando Santos’ deal with Cristiano Ronaldo in Qatar
Meulensteen worked alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United from 2007 to 2009
Speaking to talkSPORT, Meulensteen said: “Obviously I’m glad I’m not coaching Portugal at the moment, but I think it’s a bit sad to see situations like that can fall apart the way it did in the biggest showcase of the football”. on earth.
“I think the Portugal coach handled it very well. Let’s be clear, it was a clear message to show everyone who’s boss and to show that there is no one bigger than what they are trying to achieve, which is to win the World Cup. .
“For me, I really hope he has some good conversations with Ronaldo to say ‘look, this is the situation and you can do one of two things: you can accept it or you can’t. ‘.
“I still think he has a role to play, but it has to be on Portugal’s terms, and that’s what I think will happen.”
Santos left Ronaldo on the bench for their 6-1 win over Switzerland in the World Cup
Ronaldo came on as a substitute while his replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick
Meulensteen, who left United in June 2013, added that he does not think Santos will bring him back to the starting line-up in Qatar.
However, he added: “Who knows, I may have to go in with 30 minutes to go and score the winner and then all of a sudden the whole world is turned upside down.”
Portugal manager Santos has a big decision to make whether to bring Ronaldo back to the starting XI for the quarter-final against Morocco.
Ronaldo’s replacement in the 6-1 win over Switzerland, Goncalo Ramos, bid to keep his place for the rest of the tournament after scoring a tremendous hat-trick.
Santos has the big decision to start Ronaldo or keep Ramos in the lineup on Saturday
However, the 37-year-old former Manchester United player has been stealing the headlines over the past week.
On Wednesday, there were reports that he trained with the first XI rather than Portugal’s substitutes, despite coming off the bench against Switzerland.
Both Ronaldo and Portugal denied reports from the nation on Thursday that the free agent had threatened to walk out of camp after being left on the bench.
In a tweet, the striker wrote: “A group too close to be destroyed by outside forces.” A nation too brave to be intimidated by any adversary.
‘A team in the truest sense of the word, that will fight for the dream until the end! Create with us! Strength, Portugal!