Fernando Santos has insisted former Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo did not ask to leave the Portugal camp after being dropped for their eye-catching win over Switzerland.
Ronaldo, 37, started all three Group H games at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. But, with last-16 progression on the line at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday night, he was surprisingly omitted by Santos after venting his frustrations at being substituted during their previous World Cup outing against South Korea.
Adding insult to injury for Ronaldo, his replacement in the team - Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos - scored a brilliant hat-trick as Portugal clocked up a statement 6-1 win to book their place in the quarter-finals. Next up for his country is a last-8 showdown with Morocco tomorrow afternoon.
