Ronaldo was substituted out in the second half of Portugal’s loss to South Korea on Friday. He had put his index finger to his lips as he was leaving and later said that the opposing striker, Cho Gue-sung, had asked him to hurry up his exit.
Tuesday’s match against Switzerland in the last 16 will not feature Cristiano Ronaldo. This follows recent reports that Portugal coach Fernando Santos was dissatisfied with Ronaldo’s actions after he was substituted out against South Korea in their final group match. Tonight, Pepe will lead the team.
The 37-year-old striker became the first player to score in five World Cups when he scored against Ghana to kick off the tournament. However, he was ineffective in Portugal’s final two group games and was substituted midway through South Korea’s 2-1 defeat.
Ronaldo was substituted out midway through the second half in the loss to Korea. He had put his index finger to his lips as he was leaving and later said that the opposing striker, Cho Gue-sung, had asked him to hurry up his exit.
The South Korea player instructed me to exit quickly prior to my substitution. Since he doesn’t have that authority, I told him to stop talking. According to Portuguese media, Ronaldo was quoted as saying, “There was no disagreement” with the coach.
Yes, I absolutely did not enjoy it. During a pre-match press conference on Monday, Santos was asked about his comments on the situation. “I really did not like it, and from that moment on, that issue is finished,” he said.
In addition, the coach had refused to comment on rumors from back home regarding whether Ronaldo would play in his lineup against the Swiss on Tuesday, start from the bench, or captain the team.
Santos stated, “I only decide who is going to be captain when I get to the stadium.” I still don’t know who will be in the lineup. That is what I have always done, what I will always do, and it will remain the same tomorrow. The other issue has been resolved. That has been fixed internally, and that is it.
Portugal has reached the World Cup round of 16 in four of Ronaldo’s five tournaments, but he has never played in a World Cup final. The deepest Ronaldo has ever fallen at the World Cup came against France in the semifinals in 2006, when Portugal lost to Portugal.
He has scored goals in five tournaments, but only eight in 20 World Cup games. Ronaldo holds the male world record for international goals with 118, but he has never scored in the World Cup knockout rounds.