Portugal national team boss Fernando Santos has said that in the future, Cristiano Ronaldo’s role with the national team must be defined.
Santos spoke after his team’s overwhelming victory against Switzerland in the round of 16 of the World Cup.
Ronaldo was named to the bench after Santos suggested his dissatisfaction with the 37-year-old’s attitude in the South Korean defeat.
In his place, Gonçalo Ramos was selected and scored a hat-trick to take the Seleçao to the quarterfinals, where they will battle against Morocco.
Ronaldo’s non-inclusion marks the first time he has not started a match for Portugal in a major tournament since Euro 2008.
Santos said about the striker’s situation: “That is still something that needs to be defined. I have a very close relationship with him, I always have, I’ve known him since he was 19 years old.
“This relationship only develops, Ronaldo and I never interpret the human aspect of coach and player (in relation to) what we have to do during the match.”
“I will always consider in my role that he is an important player to have in the team… It is important to look at the example of this player’s history, he is one of the best players in the world playing professionally, being captain. ”
Santos was questioned about whether Ronaldo would start against Morocco. He cleverly dodged the question and instead said that he would definitely be involved.
Santos’ handling of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s situation largely reflects what Erik ten Hag went through when Ronaldo was still at the club.
It was evident that the team played better in his absence, but the goalscorer could not accept a reduced role like the one he has now taken on in Portugal’s setup.
This led to an acrimonious departure from Old Trafford. Like Ten Hag, Santos is doing the right thing and the team as a whole will benefit from his courageous decision.
