Cristiano Ronaldo has been dropped by Portugal boss Fernando Santos ahead of their World Cup last 16 clash against Switzerland. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been substituted in every fixture of the tournament so far.
Ronaldo is currently a free agent after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract with Manchester United following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan. The 37-year-old slammed Erik ten Hag, his former teammates and the Glazers as he ultimately burned all his bridges at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese striker has reportedly agreed to sign a contract until 2025 to join Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr that could see him earn £172million. Following the confirmation that Santos has dropped Ronaldo, Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Joe Cole all unanimously agreed in their verdict of the five-time Ballon d'Or.
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Speaking on ITV's coverage ahead of Portugal's clash against Switzerland, former Chelsea star Joe Cole said: "Well that is a bold, brave decision by the manager. I suppose it’s easier to make when you’ve won trophies for your country.
"I don’t think anyone’s name stands close to Ronaldo’s name in Portugal but the manager’s name is powerful, he’s done great things for that country. I think he would have deliberated over it.
"Obviously Ronaldo isn’t playing as well, he isn’t playing at his club, hasn’t lit up the tournament so far, it’s a brave, bold decision and we’ll know in two or three hours if it’ll have worked."
Neville agreed with Cole's assessment and referenced back to how United manager Ten Hag had handled Ronaldo at Old Trafford. The former United defender said: "When it happened it United it was the suggestion it was because ten Hag was trying to make a move on him, establish his authority.
"This is a manager who’s got an unbelievable relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo for eight years and there are a lot of fans of Cristiano Ronaldo who aren’t willing to tell him the truth and I think he does need to listen to the truth, that it’s becoming a little bit of a scruffy end. It wouldn’t surprise me if he came on tonight and scored the winner, but the petulance, the stomping around, the sulking, it’s got to stop because it doesn’t reflect on him well.
"His legacy is set, that’s protected as one of the greatest football players of all time, but in the short term he’s got to do a lot better. Is the Juventus manager wrong? Is the Manchester United manager wrong? And is the Portugal manager wrong? That’s three of them now who’ve done the same thing with him."
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright added: "At the end of the day it’s a team game, he’s come to this stage now where he’s not played well the last few years. Gary’s mentioned this, it’s not ended well, it’s ending acrimonious and it seems like he isn’t enjoying it at the minute, he doesn’t seem happy.
"It’s a sad situation. When’s the last time he’s heard no? It feels like that to me."
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