Cristiano Ronaldo is IN CHARGE again as Fernando Santos selects the same forward line that tore Switzerland apart for Portugal’s quarter-final clash with Morocco
By Julian Bovill for Mailonline
Posted: 13:38, 10 December 2022 | Updated: 14:03, December 10, 2022
Fernando Santos once again chose to leave Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench.
Ronaldo, 37, was named among the reserves for his country’s last 16 tie with Switzerland earlier this week – with his substitute Goncalo Ramos scoring a hat-trick.
Santos fielded the same forward line that tore Switzerland apart on their way to a 6-1 comprehensive victory with a performance many described as their best of the tournament so far.
Cristiano Ronaldo was again named among the reserves as Portugal bid to reach a first World Cup semi-final since 2006.
The decision risks driving another wedge between the head coach and his most recognizable player after Santos himself admitted the striker was unhappy with the decision not to start him against Switzerland.
“So that conversation had to happen,” Santos said after revealing he had informed Ronaldo in advance that he would not be starting. “I don’t do that with all the players. But he is the captain.
“I had a conversation with Cristiano Ronaldo. We talked about the Portuguese team, but the only conversation I had was before the Switzerland game to tell him why he would be a substitute.
Ronaldo was left disappointed after starting from the bench in the 1/16 match against Switzerland
Teams
Portugal: Diogo Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Ruben Diaz, Guerreiro; Neves, Bernardo Silva, Ottavio; Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, Gonzalo Ramos
Morocco: Bounou, Hakimi, El Yamiq, Saiss, Attiat-Allah, Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah, Ziyech, Boufal, En-Nesyri
“I told him that he will not start in the round of 16. He was not happy with the conversation, as is normal. But it was a normal conversation where everyone showed their point of view.
“When a player is captain of Portugal and starts on the bench, it is normal that he is not happy. When I told him I wasn’t going to start, he asked me if it was a good idea.
“Of course he wasn’t happy.” But I assure you he never wanted to leave.
The decision to drop the player followed Santos’ criticism of him for his reaction to being withdrawn against South Korea.
After just over an hour, Ronaldo was withdrawn in Portugal’s final group game – after failing to add to his one goal of the tournament.
Fernando Santos talks about the moment he told Ronaldo he would be a substitute in their match against Switzerland on 1/8
Lip readers have speculated that Ronaldo uttered something along the lines of “you couldn’t replace me fast enough” as he left. He then threw his hands up before sulking on the bench.
Santos, however, called for peace amid a situation that threatened to boil over. He denied Ronaldo wanted to leave the camp after being benched.
Portugal are on the brink of their first World Cup semi-final since 2006, with Santos holding the perfect opportunity to add to their European Championship crown in 2016.
“He never told me he wanted to leave. It’s time to call it quits and stop,” he said. “He left the dressing room against Switzerland, warmed up, ran out to celebrate the goals with his teammates.
“He called his team-mates to thank them for their efforts, but he went out and left. He marched alone. Let’s leave Cristiano Ronaldo alone.
Ronaldo himself congratulated his teammates on social media, writing: “An incredible day for Portugal, with a historic result in the biggest event in world football. A luxurious performance of a team full of talent and youth. Our selection is to be congratulated. The dream is alive! To the end! Come on, Portugal!”.
Portugal face Morocco in the first quarter-final of the day, with either France or England (19:00 GMT) awaiting in the semi-finals.
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