Portugal coach Fernando Santos admitted that Cristiano Ronaldo had been sad to be dropped to the bench as he pleaded for a line to be drawn beneath 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 received 6-1.
A report in Portuguese newspaper Record mentioned Ronaldo had threatened to stop the squad after he was informed he was not within the beginning line-up.
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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 informed him ‘you’ll not be one of many starters’, so it could not be a shock,” he mentioned.
“I informed him he can be essential (however) when it comes to the technique, I informed him ‘it’s 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 workforce camp, though he was upset about being dropped.
“Cristiano, for apparent causes, was not very completely happy about it,” mentioned Santos.
“He’s all the time been a beginning participant apart from one or two video games on the bench — clearly he was not completely happy.
“He informed me ‘do you actually suppose it’s a good suggestion?’ But we had a standard dialog wherein I defined my viewpoints.
“Of course, he accepted. We had a frank and regular dialog, he has by no means informed me he needed to go away our nationwide workforce.”
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Santos mentioned Ronaldo confirmed his dedication to the workforce by celebrating Portugal’s objectives and main the gamers to applaud the followers.
“It’s excessive time we cease with this dialog, cease the controversies,” mentioned the coach, making an attempt to attract a line beneath the affair.
“It’s excessive time so that you can go away Ronaldo alone, in acknowledgment for what he’s executed for Portuguese soccer.”
Santos hinted that he may carry the 37-year-old again into the workforce to face Morocco on Saturday, saying the north African aspect would offer a unique problem from Switzerland.
“They are an especially well-organised workforce with top quality and potential, and plenty of gamers at Chelsea, PSG, Bayern,” he mentioned.
