Cristiano Ronaldo has been dropped from Portugal’s starting lineup for their last-16 clash against Switzerland tonight, after leaving coach Fernando Santos enraged when he was substituted against South Korea.
The 37-year-old, who has scored one goal in the tournament so far, being a penalty in Portugal’s opener against Ghana, was visibly unhappy after being taken off after 65 minutes in last week’s 2-1 defeat.
Santos on Monday admitted he was not happy with Ronaldo’s reaction, but insisted the matter had been resolved. He did stop short of confirming the forward would start from the off, however.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named on the bench for Portugal’s clash against Switzerland
Portugal coach Fernando Santos (left) was unimpressed by Ronaldo’s reaction to being substituted during their defeat to South Korea last week
Ronaldo has paid the price for his reaction and has been named on the bench, with Goncalo Ramos replacing him up front.
Portugal are looking to win the World Cup for the first time in their history, in what will likely be the last time Ronaldo features in the competition. The forward has scored in five consecutive World Cups.
Yet, even despite his goalscoring prowess, the clubless attacker is now proving a divisive member of the squad among the Portuguese fanbase.
Portuguese newspaper A Bola last week published a poll asking their readers whether Ronaldo should start against Switzerland. And, perhaps remarkably, an overwhelming 70 per cent said no.
Though perhaps slightly questionable, he was also named by Sofascore among the worst XI from the group stage of the World Cup on Saturday.
Santos has now made a huge call to leave Ronaldo out of his line-up for Portugal’s first knockout game in Qatar.
The forward has been left on the bench after having a public strop as he was substituted off last Friday
Manchester City duo Ruben Dias and Bernado Silva return to the team, alongside Bruno Fernandes after being rested for Portugal’s final group match.
Confirmed Portugal starting XI: Costa, Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro, Otavio, Carvalho, Silva, Fernandes, Ramos, Felix
Fans have been reacting to Ronaldo’s shock omission on Twitter, and one supporter has claimed the striker is ‘finished’ after being dropped.
Bernardo Silva (L) and Ruben Dias (R) are back into Portugal’s starting line-up
Bruno Fernandes is also playing after being rested for Portugal’s final group match
‘Ronaldo dropped, this is the right decision because he is finished!’ they wrote.
Another supporter added that it was hardly a surprise that Ronaldo’s attitude had annoyed Santos.
‘Ronaldo dropped again for his attitude,’ they added.
‘Ronaldo getting dropped in Portugal’s first knockout game of the World Cup, you couldn’t make it up…’ another fan wrote.
It has been a difficult few weeks for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner after he had his Manchester United contract terminated last month following a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan where he criticised the club.
One fan joked that Ronaldo will have to do another interview with Morgan to explain his latest setback.
‘Ronaldo is dropped. Piers will have to do another interview,’ they wrote.
Ronaldo has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, though Ronaldo’s team have denied claims he is set to join them on January 1.
Reports emerged on Monday morning that suggested he was on the verge of agreeing a huge deal that would’ve seen the five-time Ballon d’Or winner net close to €200million (£173m) per season, before sources close to Ronaldo told Sportsmail they were ‘nonsense’.
Portugal will face Morocco in the quarter-finals if they beat Switzerland, after the North African side beat Spain on penalties
Yet, with the domestic campaign restarting almost immediately after the World Cup ends, Ronaldo will have to find himself a club sooner rather than later.
For now, though, his focus is on Portugal, but he will have to watch on from the bench, at least for the start of the match tonight.
Portugal are the heavy favourites to beat Switzerland, and if they beat their European opponents they will face Morocco in the quarter-finals after they beat Spain on penalties in their last-16 clash.
Should Portugal progress, they will play Morocco on Saturday, December 10 at the Al Thumama Stadium, with kick-off at 3pm GMT.
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