Less than two weeks after ending his relationship with Manchester United by mutual consent, Cristiano Ronaldo is being reported to have had a falling out with the Portugal management.
Reports from Portugal had suggested that Ronaldo threatened to walk out of the national team’s World Cup base in Qatar after being informed that he had been dropped for the Round of 16 clash against Switzerland. Boss Fernando Santos saw his decision justified, as his side ran out 6-1 victors against the Swiss.
The 37-year-old’s participation in this month’s tournament had already been somewhat overshadowed by his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan – a decision which effectively ended his club career at United and which is likely to have served as a distraction for the World Cup.
Ronaldo became the first player to score in five different World Cups when he netted from the penalty spot against Ghana in Portugal’s opening tournament game, but he did not score in the subsequent matches amid question marks over his overall performance level, two months shy of his 38th birthday.
His role in South Korea’s equalising was called into question in the final group game which preceded Ronaldo’s angry reaction when being substituted off midway through the second half. Nevertheless, his exclusion from the starting XI against Switzerland was a pointed decision and a hugely surprising one, ending a run of 31 consecutive competitive matches started by Ronaldo at international level.
Ahead of the tournament, Portugal boss Santos had to insist he was under no external pressure to include Ronaldo from the start in his team. He has an embarrassment of attacking riches at his disposal, including Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao and Joao Felix, alongside Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos – who made his first start by replacing Ronaldo and scoring a hat-trick.
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An explosive report from Portuguese media outlet Record outlines how Santos informed Ronaldo of his decision not to start him against Switzerland. The national team captain was reported to have been shocked and infuriated, informing his boss that he would walk out of the squad should the decision be made.
The report added that Ronaldo subsequently calmed down in what had been a ‘tense’ exchange and backed down on his claims – informing Santos that he would stay and be at his disposal. Ronaldo came on as a second-half substitute.
Portugal’s national football federation has refuted these claims – not denying that a conversation took place between Ronaldo and Santos, but that he had made the threat he would walk out on his international team.
A statement from the Portuguese FA read: "News released this Thursday reports that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to leave the national team during a conversation with Fernando Santos, national coach. The FPF clarifies that at no time did the captain of the national team, Cristiano Ronaldo, threaten to leave the national team during the internship in Qatar.
"Cristiano Ronaldo builds up a unique track record every day at the service of the national team and the country, which must be respected and which attests to the unquestionable degree of commitment to the national team. Incidentally, the degree of dedication of the player most capped by Portugal was again demonstrated - if necessary - in the victory against Switzerland, in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup.
"The national team - players, coaches and FPF structure - is, as it has been since the first day, fully committed and enthusiastic in building what the country wants to be Portugal's best-ever participation in a World Cup."
For Ronaldo and Portugal, this comes as an unwelcome distraction after their best performance at a major tournament for many years in their thumping of Switzerland. All eyes will be on the team selection for the quarter-final against Mexico as Ramos is hopeful of maintaining his place ahead of the nation’s captain.
