Mueez Ajao
– Portugal coach Fernando Santos has said it’s “high time” to leave Cristiano Ronaldo alone after facing another news conference dominated by questions about the striker.
– Speaking on Friday, Santos gave a detailed account of a conversation with Ronaldo during which he told the 37-year-old he would be dropped for the round-of-16 tie against Switzerland.
– He also clarified suggestions Ronaldo had tried to leave the World Cup, but afterwards tried to put a stop to questions about the former Manchester United forward.
Also Read: Portugal deny rumors claiming Ronaldo threatened to quit World Cup
– “I spoke to him after lunch on the day of the game and invited him into my office,” Santos said.
– “For obvious reasons Cristiano was not happy about it as he has always been the starting player.
– “He told me: ‘Do you really think it’s a good idea?’ But we had a normal conversation in which I explained my viewpoints and of course he accepted them. We had a frank and normal conversation.
– “He has never told me he wanted to leave the national team and it’s high time we stopped with the conversation.
– “He decided to warm up with his colleagues and celebrated all the goals we scored. At the end he was the one who invited his colleagues to thank the fans.
– “It’s high time to leave Cristiano Ronaldo alone. In every news conference, 90% of the questions are about Cristiano Ronaldo.”
– In Ronaldo’s absence, Portugal beat Switzerland 6-1 with replacement striker Goncalo Ramos, 21, scoring a hat trick.
– Santos, however, left the door open for Ronaldo to return to the team for the quarterfinal with Morocco on Saturday by insisting it would be a “different game.”
– “Every player isn’t happy when they are on the bench,” Santos said.
– “It’s totally normal and managers just have to deal with it. Just because a team wins doesn’t mean you don’t change. Morocco will present us with different things, they are an extremely well organised team with a lot of quality. You think this match will be the same?”
– Santos was joined at his news conference by Joao Felix, who hinted that the players are not happy with the media coverage surrounding Ronaldo.
– “I would like to leave a message to the Portuguese people and to the press,” he said.
– “Portugal is in a great competition. We haven’t reached the quarterfinals for a long time. We should all be closer together and not try to make the atmosphere worse.”
– Felix also said he would only think about his club future after the World Cup following reports he could leave Atletico Madrid in January.
– “I’ve already said I’m focused 100% on the national squad,” he added.
– “I’m only concerned with giving a good performance to help this team and Portugal and the Portuguese people. Atletico Madrid is something I have to look at when the World Cup ends because I’m 100% focused here.”
