The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) denied Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to desert the World Cup squad after being benched towards Switzerland.
The 37-year-old striker was surprisingly dropped for the final 16 conflict on Tuesday, along with his alternative Goncalo Ramos netting a hat-trick within the 6-1 victory.
Ronaldo appeared from the bench, however a report from Portuguese publication Record stated the striker had beforehand threatened to depart in a tense dialog with coach Fernando Santos.
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“The FPF clarifies that at no time did the captain of the Selecao, Cristiano Ronaldo, threaten to depart the nationwide staff through the keep in Qatar,” stated the federation.
“Every day Ronaldo is build up a novel observe document on the service of the nationwide staff and the nation, which should be revered.”
The FPF stated Ronaldo’s look towards Switzerland was an extra demonstration of his dedication to the trigger.
Ronaldo’s alternative shines immediately | 00:42
Ronaldo is the most-capped Portuguese participant and the highest males’s worldwide goalscorer of all time.
Portugal face Morocco on Sunday within the quarter-finals, the place Ramos might once more get the nod over Ronaldo.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner didn’t practice with the opposite substitutes on Wednesday after the sport, as a substitute participating in a gymnasium session alongside the starters towards Switzerland.
