Ahead of Portugal's crucial clash against Switzerland in the round of 16, Head Coach Fernando Santos made a shock decision by dropping Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 37-year-old started all three of Portugal's opening games in Qatar but it seemed that Santos wants to go in a new direction choosing to start Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos over Ronaldo. Ramos scored a hat-trick as Portugal won 6-1
This comes after whoscored.com named Ronaldo as statistically one of the worst performers in the competition so far. The only goal the former Manchester United forward scored was a penalty against Ghana that he won in dubious circumstances.
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But Ronaldo had also come under fire again for his behaviour on the pitch. After he was substituted against South Korea he was pictured swearing and shushing one of the opposition players who was telling him to get off the pitch.
When asked about the incident, Santos said: “Have I seen the images? Yes, I didn’t like it, not at all. I didn’t like it. I really didn’t like it. But from that moment onwards everything is finished regarding that issue. These matters are resolved behind closed doors. It’s resolved. Full stop on this matter and now everyone is focused on tomorrow’s match.”
Santos also refused to confirm whether Ronaldo would captain the team during the match against Switzerland. The 37-year-old was given the armband when he came on as a late substitute.
Ronaldo was hoping that this World Cup would give him the opportunity to show potential clubs what he can still offer after his terrible season and then tumultuous departure from Manchester United, but it just seems to be yet another chapter in the catalogue of issues that are plaguing the end of his career.
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