“It’s Time You Leave Ronaldo Alone!”- Portuguese Soccer Manager Finally Breaks Silence to Clarify Cristiano Ronaldo Situation And Shut It Down

Cristiano Ronaldo has been among the biggest headline makers as the FIFA World Cup enters the quarter-finals stage. Portugal will face dark horse Morocco in the final 8 of the soccer world cup. Ronaldo started from the bench for Portugal’s Round of 16 clash against Switzerland. Several reports suggested Ronaldo threatened to leave the competition after starting on the bench vs Switzerland. However, the Portuguese FA denied those claims. Fernando Santos now clarified the situation and has shut down the matter once and for all.

Fernando Santos’ decision to bench Ronaldo in the R16 game came with a lot of backlash from the player’ fans and family. However, Ronaldo accepted the decision and remains motivated to help the team in any way he can. His replacement, Gonçalo Ramos, scored a hat-trick on his FIFA WC debut.

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Portugal coach Fernando Santos is focusing on the team’s clash against Morocco in the FIFA World Cup. However, the team has been hit with a lot of distractions from the media. Santos recently doubled down on his previous statement and wants everyone to leave Ronaldo alone.

Fernando Santos discusses Ronaldo’s situation

Santos recently appeared before the media and talked about his conversation with Ronaldo on the decision to bench him. Ronaldo was, reportedly, angry after being substituted against South Korea. Many reports suggested that him starting from the bench in the next game could be related to that. However, Santos clarified the situation during his latest press conference.

“The only conversation I had was that day, the game day and I explained why he would not play,” Santos said. “After lunch we met, I explained why he would not be starting. I explained to him so he wouldn’t be surprised. I invited him to my office and said ‘Listen, you won’t be starting, I think you’ll be very important but in terms of strategy, it’s better if you don’t play’.”

Santos continued: “Cristiano naturally was not happy as he has always been a starter apart from one or two games. He was not happy and he told me, ‘Do you really think it’s a good idea?’. But we had an important conversation in which I explained my view and of course, he accepted. We had a frank and normal conversation.”

Ronaldo is among the most hardworking athletes in the world. He is a top professional, and that has made him stay at the top for more than 2 decades. It is understandable for him to be upset over not starting a game. However, he remains focused on the team’s goals.

Santos wants Cristiano Ronaldo to be left alone

The 68-year-old manager also went on the explain that Ronaldo remains a professional. Even though he started from the bench, he enjoyed the team’s win as much as he would have from the field.

“Even though he didn’t start, he celebrated with his teammates, with Joao Mario,” Santos said. “At the end, he was the one who led the celebration with the fans. I think it’s time you leave Ronaldo alone because of what he has done for Portuguese football.”

Portugal has been in fine form under Fernando Santos and is looking to lift the World Cup for the first time. Santos took a big risk in starting a youngster with little international soccer experience over Ronaldo. However, it worked as Portugal won 6-1, thanks to Ramos’ hat trick.

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Do you think Gonçalo Ramos should start the next game for Portugal over Ronaldo? Let us know in the comment section below.