Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Santos (Getty Photos)
Portugal coach Fernando Santos admitted on Friday that Cristiano Ronaldo had been sad to be dropped to the bench as he pleaded for a line to be drawn underneath the affair.
The veteran striker was an alternative choice to the primary time at a World Cup since 2006 for his aspect’s last-16 match in opposition to Switzerland, which they gained 6-1.
A report in Portuguese newspaper File mentioned Ronaldo had threatened to give up the squad after he was instructed he was not within the beginning line-up.
The Portuguese soccer federation denied the report and Ronaldo himself took to social media to state that the squad was “too united to be damaged by exterior forces”.
Santos, talking on the eve of Portugal’s quarter-final in opposition to Morocco, mentioned he had spoken to Ronaldo on the day of the sport in opposition to Switzerland.
“I invited him to my workplace, and instructed him ‘you’ll not be one of many starters’, so it might not be a shock,” he mentioned.
“I instructed him he could be necessary (however) by way of the technique, I instructed him ‘it is higher for you to not play’. I saved him for the second half.”
Santos mentioned five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo by no means threatened to go away the crew camp, though he was upset about being dropped.
“Cristiano, for apparent causes, was not very blissful about it,” mentioned Santos. “He is all the time been a beginning participant apart from one or two video games on the bench — clearly he was not blissful.
“He instructed me ‘do you actually suppose it is a good suggestion?’ However we had a standard dialog through which I defined my viewpoints.
“In fact, he accepted. We had a frank and regular dialog, he has by no means instructed me he needed to go away our nationwide crew.”
Santos mentioned Ronaldo confirmed his dedication to the crew by celebrating Portugal’s objectives and main the gamers to applaud the followers.
“It is excessive time we cease with this dialog, cease the controversies,” mentioned the coach, attempting to attract a line underneath the affair.
“It is excessive time so that you can depart Ronaldo alone, in acknowledgement for what he is completed for Portuguese soccer.”
Santos hinted that he may convey the 37-year-old again into the crew to face Morocco on Saturday, saying the north African aspect would offer a distinct problem from Switzerland.
“They’re a particularly well-organised crew with prime quality and potential, and plenty of gamers at Chelsea, PSG, Bayern,” he mentioned.
