Ronaldo came off as a substitute in Portugal’s first two World Cup matches
The Portuguese Football Federation denied that Cristiano Ronaldo had threatened to leave his team’s camp at the World Cup.
Portuguese newspaper Record claimed the 37-year-old striker had threatened to leave after he was told he would not start against Switzerland in the round of 16.
In the previous match against South Korea, the Portugal captain reacted angrily as he left the field as a substitute.
The Portuguese Federation said: “At no time did Cristiano Ronaldo threaten to leave the national team camp during his stay in Qatar.”
Ronaldo ended his contract with Manchester United by mutual consent before Portugal’s opening World Cup match after a controversial newspaper interview in which the five-time Ballon d’Or winner criticized the English club.
Ronaldo was substituted in Portugal’s first two World Cup matches. The team’s coach, Fernando Santos, said that Ronaldo’s reaction during his substitution in the match that ended in a 2-1 loss to South Korea in the group stage “did not like him.”
Goncalo Ramos participated in the starting line-up instead of Ronaldo against Switzerland. The 21-year-old scored three goals (a hat-trick) in the match, which ended with a 6-1 victory for Portugal.
Ronaldo, who is the most capped Portuguese player with 195 caps and the all-time top scorer for Portugal with 118 goals, came on as a substitute late in that match, but then left the field while his teammates were still celebrating.
The Portuguese Federation said: “Cristiano Ronaldo makes a unique history every day in the service of the national team and the country, which must be respected.”
He added, “The degree of dedication of the most active player in Portugal’s history was demonstrated once again – if need be – in the victory over Switzerland in the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup.”
Portugal will face Morocco in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Ronaldo did not train with the other substitutes after Wednesday’s game. Instead, he took part in training sessions in the gym with the players who started in the starting line-up against Switzerland.
Following the statement, which was issued by the Portuguese federation on Thursday, Ronaldo tweeted: “A group whose members have ties so strong that no external force can break them, and a nation too brave to allow any adversary to make them feel afraid.”
He added, “A team in the true sense of the word, that will fight for the dream until the end. Trust us.”