The FA in Portugal has denied reports that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to withdraw from the World Cup in talks with head coach Fernando Santos.
Record, a Portuguese publication, said Ronaldo told his coach he could leave Qatar after realizing he would be on the bench for the last 16 match against Switzerland – which Portugal won 6-1 – before he calmed down and realized his departure would disrupt the players. the team.
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Portuguese football journalist, Pedro Sepulveda, admits that Ronaldo is not the player he once was and needs to think carefully about the best way to end his career.
But the Portuguese Football Federation denied this in a statement released on Thursday, which defended Ronaldo’s legacy and commitment to the team.
A statement from the country’s governing body said: “Reports published on Thursday claim that Cristiano Ronaldo has threatened to leave the national team in talks with Fernando Santos, the national coach.
“The FPF explains that at no time did the captain of the national team, Cristiano Ronaldo, threaten to leave the national team during his internship in Qatar.
“Cristiano Ronaldo makes a special record every day by serving the national team and the country, which should be respected and which proves the incredible commitment to the national team.
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Fernando Santos said any problems with Ronaldo have been resolved and his focus should be on the rest of Portugal’s squad, following their impressive 6-1 win over Switzerland.
“Incidentally, the level of commitment of the player who played a lot with Portugal was also shown – if necessary – in the victory against Switzerland, in the round of 16 of the World Cup 2022.
“The national team – the players, the coaches and the FPF structure – are, as they have been since day one, fully committed and happy to create what the country wants for Portugal to participate in the World Cup.”
Santos: Ronaldo’s WC role needs to be explained
Ronaldo is set to return to the bench for the match against Morocco
Ronaldo’s role for the rest of the World Cup is something that needs to be “defined”, Portugal boss Santos said after benching his captain for their 6-1 win over Switzerland.
The 37-year-old watched on from the bench as substitute Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick to set up a semi-final against Morocco.
Asked about Ronaldo after the win in Switzerland, Santos said: “This is something that needs to be explained.
“I have a close relationship with him – I’ve lived with him, I’ve known him since he was 19 years old.
“This friendship will only grow, me and Ronaldo do not translate the character of a person as a manager and a player [in relation to] what we have to do in the game.
“I always think of my role as an important player to have in the team.”
When asked directly if Ronaldo would play against Morocco, Santos responded enthusiastically: “Ronaldo will.” [be involved]all players on the bench can be used, if they are not in the starting line they can play later.
“It is important to look at the example of this player’s history, he is one of the best players in the world in the professional game, to be the captain – all we have to do is think about this team together.”
