Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was left on the bench by his national team manager Fernando Santos for their World Cup last-16 match against Switzerland. The Portugal coach had explained his displeasure at Ronaldo's actions in the final group stage match against South Korea and thus dropped him for their following game.
Ahead of the fixture, Santos gave his thoughts on what happened in the closing moments of Portugal's match with South Korea where Ronaldo was heavily involved. He said: “I’d heard him (Ronaldo) in discussion with Korea’s players. But I didn’t like the other images when I saw them. Not at all. I really didn’t like them. Now, everything has finished. That issue is finished. Full stop."
To the surprise of many, Santos made the huge call of dropping Ronaldo to the bench for the last-16 match against Switzerland with Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos, who was making his first international start, coming in for the former Man United star.
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Ramos responded to his inclusion in emphatic fashion, scoring a hat-trick as Portugal rode out 6-1 winners, although Ronaldo was unable to get his name on the score sheet after being brought on for the final 17 minutes. Following the match, Ronaldo gave a very brief response to reports that he was going to be joining Al-Nassr after having his Manchester United contract terminated by mutual consent.
Despite the superb performance of his team, without Ronaldo, Santos was asked about his captain where the 68-year-old was very complimentary of Ronaldo's reaction to his decision.
He said: "Cristiano has shown that he is a professional of choice and a captain of a handful. He didn't create any problem, really. We spoke before the game and he had no issue with my decision. Cristiano's an example."
This comment though may have come before he saw what Ronaldo did after the game once all the players had shook hands. Ronaldo was captured swiftly walking off the pitch by himself with his team-mates deservedly basking in the praise coming from their fans.
Another angle from the crowd does show Ronaldo applauding the Portugal supporters but once his team-mates begin to head over, Ronaldo makes a quick exit down the tunnel.
Following a hat-trick being scored by his replacement, Ronaldo's actions may have further angered Santos who has shown he is not afraid to leave his captain out of the team.
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