In the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar, the Portuguese team defeated Switzerland (6:1). Portuguese leader Cristiano Ronaldo was not included in the starting lineup for the match. What they say about the coach’s decision – in the material “RBC Sport”
Cristiano Ronaldo
(Photo: Getty Images)
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was not included in the starting lineup for the 1/8 final match against Switzerland (6:1). For Ronaldo, this happened for the first time since 2008 in a major tournament. Previously, he started in 31 straight games at World Cups and European Championships. As a result, he only came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute of the meeting.
Fernando Santos, coach of Portugal
“We had to take a good look at the opponent and make decisions that we consider the best from a strategic point of view. It was the strategy that led to Ronaldo’s absence from the start. Problems with Ronaldo? I have already answered this question. Nothing terrible happens, we have been friends for many years. Everything is sorted out and sorted out. Cristiano set the example of a true captain.” quote the words Record coach edition.
Georgina Rodriguez, wife of Ronaldo
“Congratulations to Portugal. As 11 players sang the anthem, all eyes were on you. What a pity you can’t enjoy the best player in the world for 90 minutes. The fans won’t stop supporting you and screaming your name. May God and your friend Fernando continue to walk hand in hand and give us another exciting night, ”wrote Rodriguez on Instagram (the owner of the social network, Meta, is recognized as an extremist in Russia and banned).
Elma Aveiro, sister of Cristiano Ronaldo
“Yes, Ronaldo is not forever, yes, Ronaldo will not play forever, unfortunately he doesn’t score goals now. Portugal doesn’t need Ronaldo. Everything he did is now irrelevant and has been forgotten. Now they ask for forgiveness and don’t need it. I will remember that and we’ll talk about it later. It is a shame to humiliate a person who has given so much, ”Aveiro wrote on Instagram (the owner of the social network, Meta, is recognized as an extremist in Russia and banned).
Gary Neville, former Manchester United and England defender
“He is one of the greatest players of all time, but in the short term he should get even better. Why is the Juventus coach wrong? Manchester United are wrong and now the Portugal manager is wrong? Ten Hag (Eric Ten Hag – Manchester United head coach – RBC.) Didn’t want him in the team because he thought it would be better off without him, does the Portugal manager feel the same way? When it happened at Manchester United, there was speculation that Eric Ten Hag was trying to enforce his authority, but the Portugal manager has had an incredible relationship with Ronaldo for years.” She said Neville ITV before the match.
Bruno Fernandes, Portugal midfielder
“Did we win because Ronaldo wasn’t in the squad? We won the first two games with Cristiano starting! If Cristiano had played from the first minutes, he could have scored three goals, and no one would have said that he was on the bench. Ronaldo is doing his job, playing his role and happy with the result, because the goal for each of us is to get as far as possible at the 2022 World Cup. I don’t think people should talk about the situation with Cristiano: because he plays, because he doesn’t play. When Ronaldo is on the pitch and the Portuguese wins, nobody talks about it. When Cristiano is on the pitch and we lose, everyone talks about it.” quote the words Fernandez Yahoo Sports.
