It’s been a turbulent last couple of months for former Manchester United superstar and one of soccer’s all-time greats, Cristiano Ronaldo.
It began with the arrival of Erik ten Hag as United’s new boss, who sought to instill discipline in a fractured squad and ensure the team developed a discernible pattern of play.
His style implied a lot of energy and work rate, traits that do not suit the Portuguese’s game. And after missing pre-season for personal reasons, the 37-year-old gradually struggled to break into the team’s starting eleven.
And soon things turned sour when Ronaldo refused to come on as a late substitute against Tottenham and it all culminated in an incendiary interview he gave to controversial presenter Piers Morgan for the world to see.
His unprecedented attacks on manager, club and players left the Old Trafford side no choice but to mutually agree to a termination.
CR7 United’s struggles continue in the Portugal camp
The Portugal captain must have thought this would end his misery in Manchester and he would not suffer the same disrespect when representing his country at the World Cup.
But a similar scene has also happened in Qatar. After three disappointing games in the group stage personally, the coach decided to replace him early in the game against South Korea.
And as usual, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner did not take things in the right spirit and the Portuguese outlet CMTV picked up the starting striker telling coach Fernando Santos: “You’re in a fucking hurry to take me.”
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed this Thursday through a statement that Cristiano Ronaldo never threatened to leave the national team during the 2022 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/h5WmVBGs4L
– CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) December 8, 2022
His public protests did not impress Santos, who revealed his exact thoughts at a press conference. I have seen the images of Cristiano’s change and I did not like his reaction at all.
“But from there, these issues are resolved at home and it’s time to think about tomorrow’s game, on which we are all focused,” he concluded.
The decision that the Eurocup-winning coach ultimately made was to choose Benfica’s great Goncalo Ramos as the starter instead of the ill-tempered Portuguese international.
“In the heat of the conversation with the coach, when he found out that he would not be in the starting eleven… he thought of the worst,” analyzed the Portuguese newspaper Récord (as broadcast by Marca).
CR7’s antics have Portugal on edge
“Ronaldo threatened to leave”, was the headline, as things have turned ugly even on the national field, all thanks to a player who has not been able to accept his personal failings, not because of his hard work, but because of his age that it’s natural.
The Portuguese publication has also exclusively revealed that the Portuguese sniper threatened to leave during a discussion with the coach, something that has been denied by the Portuguese federation.
And despite the impressive 6-1 thrashing of Switzerland, Ronaldo’s bad temper has carried over to the training scene as well.
He reportedly refused to practice with all the other subs, instead opting to do light gym work for the starting players.
It is clear that Portugal is a well-oiled machine without Ronaldo, but can he accept his new reality? It will be interesting to see how this all plays out as Portugal awaits its quarter-final showdown with Morocco.
