The superstar was benched.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s season has not gone under lucky stars. PDO
Cristiano Ronaldo starts on the bench for the quarter-final match between Portugal and Switzerland.
Ignoring the goalscoring legend in such an important game is a big blow, but Ronaldo’s gesture in the match that ended the group stage against South Korea may have contributed to it.
When the bench called in the 65th minute of the game, he put his finger in front of his mouth. Lusitan pilot after the match Fernando Santos was not aware of his star’s opinion, but at the next day’s press conference, the commanding officer took a stand on the subject in a rather strict tone.
– Have I seen the pictures? Yes, I didn’t like them, not at all. I didn’t like them. I really didn’t like them, the king coach rumbled.
– But since that moment, everything has been patted about it. These things are handled behind closed doors. It’s cleared up. Now everyone is focused on tomorrow’s game.
Santos was also asked if Ronaldo is still the captain of the team.
– I will decide my captain only when we arrive at the stadium, he answered.
The decision has now been made. From Portugal’s starting line-up, the captain’s armband will be handed to a hard-hitting topper Pepe.
Santos has chosen a 21-year-old from Benfica to open instead of Ronaldo by Gonçalo Ramos. Other places of attack are occupied Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix.
The match starts at 21:00.