Cristiano Ronaldo reacted angrily to being substituted during Portugal's 2-1 defeat to South Korea in the World Cup on Friday as his frustration once again got the better of him.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was fuming as he was substituted off in his nation’s final World Cup group stage match.
Ronaldo is hoping to achieve World Cup glory with Portugal in what is likely to be his final appearance at a major international tournament. The 37-year-old scored in Portugal's opening World Cup match against Ghana but failed to add to his goal tally against Uruguay and South Korea.
READ MORE: Graham Potter handed Ben Chilwell and Reece James Chelsea injury boost before World Cup test
Ronaldo was an injury concern heading into the final Group H fixture but was passed fit enough to start before being substituted in the 65th minute. The Portuguese superstar's role in South Korea’s equaliser was questioned after he turned his back on the ball instead of clearing it, with the ball falling to Kim Young-gwon to tap home.
The veteran striker has previously been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge after Todd Boehly met with Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, over the summer. football.london understands that Boehly proposed the idea of signing the Portugal international to former boss Thomas Tuchel but the German passed on the opportunity.
Graham Potter is understood to also not be keen on signing Ronaldo in January as he looks to bring in players that fit into his style of play after inheriting Tuchel's squad.
Ronaldo's latest outburst - albeit one that was explained away by national coach Fernando Santos after the game - may have shown the Blues why signing him is a bad idea, despite his impressive goal scoring record.
Ronaldo's attitude has been questioned in the past few months, with the 37-year-old having left the stadium early whilst at United, along with slamming Erik ten Hag, the Glazers and his former teammates in an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
After he was substituted off for Andre Silva against South Korea, A Bola reported that Ronaldo could be heard shouting on camera towards the Portugal bench: "You're in such a hurry to take me off."
As he continued his outburst, Ronaldo was comforted by teammate Pepe, who was still on the pitch. Portugal boss Santos moved to clear up the incident after the game, however, by clarifying that the superstar was actually responding to an opposition player, and not the Portugal bench.
"Ronaldo came off the pitch angry, yes, but with the Korean player who was insulting him and sending him away from the pitch," Santos said. "He replied to him and that is perfectly normal.
"I heard what the Korean player said, in English, and I have no doubt about it and Ronaldo replied ‘you must be in a big hurry for me to leave’. Pepe even went after the Korean player because of that," Santos added.
Portugal’s goalscorer Ricardo Horta confirmed Santos' claims and said: "I think he ended up leaving the game unsatisfied because of the reaction of a player from Korea, nothing related to Portugal. He's already said it and it's not worth repeating: that he is happy and focused on the World Cup."
As shown with how his time at Old Trafford came to an end, Chelsea, Boehly and Potter should all be wary of making a move for Ronaldo as it could threaten the morale in the squad and hamper any chances of achieving a top four Premier League spot.
READ NEXT:
Reece James gives Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi verdict as ideal Chelsea teammate named
Transfer plans, Pulisic point - 5 things Chelsea and Graham Potter have learned in the World Cup
Reece James gives Chelsea injury update as England star makes 'super tough' World Cup admission
Trent Alexander-Arnold sends Jude Bellingham six-word message as Liverpool transfer hint dropped
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
