Portuguese football officials have refuted claims that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to withdraw from his nation’s World Cup team after Fernando Santos benched him.
This week, Portugal humiliated Switzerland 6-1 in Qatar, and the former Manchester United player was named to the substitutes’ bench. Rumor has it that Santos was upset with Ronaldo’s attitude because of his substitution during his team’s final group-stage match against South Korea.
Ronaldo allegedly threatened to leave the Qatar training camp after learning he had not been chosen for the crucial match against the Swiss, according to the Portuguese publication Record. However, the Portuguese football officials quickly denied this report.
“Reports claiming Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to leave the national team during a conversation with Fernando Santos are not true,” read a statement released by the Portuguese FA.
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“FPF clarifies that at no time did Cristiano threaten to leave the national team in Qatar.”
It is unclear if Ronaldo will be chosen for Portugal’s quarterfinal match against Morocco on Saturday, especially after the player chosen in front of him against the Swiss, Goncalo Ramos of Benfica, scored a hat-trick in his team’s convincing victory.
Following a contentious interview with UK TV journalist Piers Morgan in which Ronaldo harshly criticised United coach Erik ten Hag and members of the club’s ownership group, Ronaldo’s contract with Manchester United was terminated just a few weeks ago.
Ronaldo, who came on as a late replacement against the Swiss, has a record-setting 118 goals in 195 national team appearances, more than any other football player in the world.
“Cristiano Ronaldo builds up a unique track record every day at the service of the national team and the country, which must be respected,” the FPF added.
“The degree of dedication of the player most capped by Portugal was again demonstrated – if necessary – in the victory against Switzerland, in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup.”
