Fernando Santos slams Cristiano Ronaldo for substitution reaction at 2022 World Cup, could lose Portugal captaincy

ByEurosport

Updated 05/12/2022 at 18:27 GMT

Things haven’t been going brilliantly for Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who was released from Manchester United and now might find himself stripped of the captaincy with his national team. Ronaldo was clearly upset at being taken off against South Korea but has since said that it wasn’t directed at manager Fernando Santos, who was not impressed with what he saw.

Portugal manager Fernando Santos has slammed forward Cristiano Ronaldo for his reaction to being taken off against South Korea - and didn’t confirm if the 37-year-old would keep the captaincy.

Ronaldo was taken off during Portugal’s 2-1 loss and was clearly unhappy, making a “quiet” gesture by raising one finger to his lips.

Asked about Ronaldo's reaction at his press conference on Monday, Santos was clearly not amused.

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“Have I seen the images?” Santos said.

Yes, I didn’t like it, not at all. I didn’t like it. I really didn’t like it.

“But from that moment onwards everything is finished regarding that issue. These matters are resolved behind closed doors. It’s resolved. Full stop on this matter and now everyone is focused on tomorrow’s match.”

Santos was asked whether or not Ronaldo would stay as the captain of the team.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Image credit: Getty Images

“I only decide who is going to be captain when I reach the stadium,” he replied.

“I still don’t know what the line-up will be. That’s what I’ve always done and that’s what I’m always going to do and it’s going to be the same tomorrow. The other topic is solved. We have fixed that in-house and that’s it.”

For his part Ronaldo has come to his own defence, saying that he was directing the gesture at the opposition, not his manager.

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"Before my substitution, one of their players was telling me to leave quickly,” Ronaldo said. “I told him to shut up, he has no authority, he doesn’t have to say anything.”

Portugal will face Switzerland in their 2022 World Cup last 16 clash on Tuesday evening. The game will kick-off at 19:00 UK time and will be played at the Lusail Stadium.

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