The Portuguese FA have released a statement after reports suggested Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to leave the Portugal World Cup squad. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was dropped by manager Fernando Santos for their last 16 clash against Switzerland earlier this week.
Ronaldo was surprisingly left out of his nation’s starting lineup for their stunning 6-1 win over the Swiss. His replacement Goncalo Ramos justified Santos' decision by scoring a brilliant hat-trick.
Ronaldo came on as a late substitute as he tried to end his World Cup knockout stage goal drought, but had a goal disallowed as Portugal progressed into the quarter-finals. After the match, the 37-year-old headed straight down the tunnel rather than staying on the pitch to celebrate with the rest of the squad.
