Portugal has qualified for the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup after a big win over Switzerland. The 2016 European champions scored six past Switzerland to book a place in the next round of the competition. However, coach Fernando Santos decided to bench captain Cristiano Ronaldo and started youngster Goncalo Ramos ahead of him.
Many questioned his decision ahead of the game. However, it worked as Portugal won 6-1 against the Swiss side. But Ronaldo’s sister and girlfriend were particularly unhappy about the decision even after the game.
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After sitting on the bench for the majority of the game, Ronaldo came on in the 74th min. However, Portugal was already leading by 5-1 at that time.
Ronaldo didn’t get many opportunities to score but a free-kick near the box. However, the 37-year-old smashed it into the defense wall. Portugal won 6-1 in the end with Ronaldo having just one shot. Goncalo Ramos, who started in Ronaldo’s position, scored a hattrick. The 5-time Balon d’Or winner was also spotted leaving his teammates, who went on to clap for fans’ support after the win.
Elma Aveiro, sister of Cristiano Ronaldo, slams Portugal coach
Ronaldo’s sister, Elma, took to Instagram to express her frustration over Fernando Santos’ decision. She ranted on her Instagram after Santos decided to put Ronaldo on the bench for the first time in the World Cup.
Elma wrote: “Yes Ronaldo is not eternal, yes Ronaldo won’t play forever, unfortunately he doesn’t score goals now, he’s old, Portugal doesn’t need Ronaldo 👏👏. We talked about what we heard, all that he did isn’t important, all that he did was forgotten. Now they ask for forgiveness and they don’t need him. I will register that and later we’ll talk. Rui Santos, what will he apologise for? Now we we can f*** who we want. It is a shame to humiliate a man who has given so much, but later I will see a lot more.”
Not just this, Elma also posted a picture of Ronaldo on the bench with a strong caption.
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This is not the first time Ronaldo’s sister has spoken publicly on such matters on her social media. Katia Aveiro has also defended her brother at times. Ronaldo’s girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, also took a sly dig at Santos through her Instagram.
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She said that it was a ‘shame’ that fans couldn’t watch Ronaldo for 90s minutes of the game.
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What do you think of Ronaldo’s family speaking up on the matter? Let us know in the comment section below.