On the eve of facing Morocco in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, Fernando Santos knew what awaited him this afternoon at the pre-match press conference. Since taking the decision to seat Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for the round of 16 against Switzerland (6-1), the Portugal coach knew that it had triggered a veritable tsunami. Those close to CR7 cried foul and the Portuguese press even went so far as to say that the number 7 of the Seleção had threatened to leave the team immediately, after learning that he would not be a starter. An XXL event which prompted the Portuguese federation to publish a press release to deny this information.
So when he appeared in front of the media this Friday, December 9, Fernando Santos was aware that his press conference was mainly going to concern the Ronaldo case rather than the match against the Atlas Lions. But the “Engineer” did not slip away. “I had a conversation with Cristiano Ronaldo. We talked about the Portuguese selection. But the only conversation I had with him was before the match against Switzerland to tell him that he was going to be a substitute. I told him that he was not going to start in the round of 16. He wasn’t happy with the conversation, as usual. But it was a normal conversation where everyone showed their point of view. A normal conversation. »
‘Leave Cristiano Ronaldo alone’
Assailed with questions, Santos returned to this famous departure threat from his star. A rumor according to the Lusitanian coach who confirmed CR7’s dissatisfaction. “He never told me he was going to leave the Portugal team. He didn’t tell me. You have to see his attitude. He celebrated the goals with his teammates, thanked the supporters. When a player is captain of Portugal and he starts on the bench, it is normal that he is not happy. When I told him he wasn’t going to start, he asked me if it was a good idea. Of course, he was not happy. But assures you that he never wanted to leave the selection.he said, before asking the media to stop with this story.
“It’s time to get it over with and stop with this. He came out of the locker room against Switzerland, he warmed up, he went running to celebrate the goals with his teammates. He called his colleagues to thank them for their effort, but he left the field on his own. Leave Cristiano Ronaldo alone. In all the press conferences in Portugal, 90% of the questions are about Cristiano Ronaldo. We are focused. The day after the game against Switzerland when things came out, we continued to work. We are at a crucial moment and the atmosphere within the team is fantastic. » It is said !