Portugal manager Fernando Santos has explained his motive for 'dropping' Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo against Spain last night. Ronaldo had to make do with a place on the bench for that Nations League draw in Seville — but was summoned into action in the second half.
Ronaldo completed a stunning return to Old Trafford last summer and netted 24 goals in all competitions. Despite there being little to savour from a team perspective, it was a season that also saw Ronaldo break the record for most goals in senior men's internationals.
Heading into the Spain match with 186 caps and 115 goals to his name in Portugal colours, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner did earn his 187th cap later on in that Group A2 showdown. According to his manager, that was always part of his plan at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in Seville.
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Ronaldo did not play for United in their Premier League finale against Crystal Palace with a hip flexor issue. But this omission had nothing to do with that late-season injury.
During his post-match interview, Santos said: "Cristiano Ronaldo? They often ask why he is a starter. It's the million-dollar question. I understood that for this game it was better to use the players I used. It was a technical and tactical option for this game.
"It seemed to us the best solution, for the way we wanted to play and approach the game.
"It has nothing to do with Cristiano's quality. That's not even in question. There are moments in the game when you have to think in a different way. We believed that in the second half he could come in and solve the game."
United teammate Bruno Fernandes did start this Nations League opener, although Diogo Dalot was an unused substitute. Portugal will now play Switzerland (twice) and Czech Republic before Sunday, June 12.
