Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence after being named on the bench for Portugal's World Cup last-16 clash with Switzerland. Fernando Santos, the Portugal manager, dropped Ronaldo for their first knockout game after explaining his displeasure at Ronaldo's actions in the final group stage match against South Korea.
Santos gave his thoughts ahead of Portugal's match with Switzerland on what happened in the closing moments of Portugal's match with South Korea where Ronaldo was heavily involved. He said: “I’d heard him (Ronaldo) in discussion with Korea’s players. But I didn’t like the other images when I saw them. Not at all. I really didn’t like them. Now, everything has finished. That issue is finished. Full stop."
As a result of what happened against South Korea, Ronaldo was replaced in the starting line up by Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos, and Santos was ultimately justified in his decision, with Ramos netting a superb hat-trick as Portugal fired six past the Swiss with Manuel Akanji's goal merely a consolation.
