Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Round of 16 – Portugal v Switzerland – Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar – December 6, 2022 Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is pictured on the substitutes bench REUTERS/Suhaib Salem TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Cristiano Ronaldo’s role for the remainder of the World Cup is still to be ‘defined’, Portugal boss Fernando Santos said after dropping his captain for their last-16 win over Switzerland.
The 37-year-old, criticised by the coach for his reaction to being substituted against South Korea, saw his replacement, Goncalo Ramos, hit a hat-trick on his full debut in a 6-1 victory.
It was the first time Ronaldo had been left out of the starting XI at a major finals since 2008.
Portugal face Morocco in the quarter-final and, on the role of a man who left Manchester United under a cloud during the tournament, Santos admitted: ‘That is still something that has to be defined.
‘Ronaldo will definitely (be involved), all the players on the bench, if they are not in the starting line-up 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, being captain – all we have to do is think about this team collectively.’
MORE : Portugal manager reveals real reason why Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped for World Cup clash
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He saw his replacement hit a hat-trick on his full debut
