Cristiano Ronaldo: The Portuguese Football Federation issued a statement denying reports that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to leave the Portugal national football team squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup during a conversation with Fernando Santos.
Portugal national soccer team coach Fernando Santos made the bold decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench when they faced Switzerland in the round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Fernando Santos’ call was vindicated as Portugal posted a sensational 6-1 win over Switzerland in the round of 16. Portugal arguably produced the best performance of any team at the Qatar 2022 World Cup in their defeat of Switzerland.
The Portuguese newspaper Record reported on Thursday that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to quit the World Cup after a heated argument with Fernando Santos. The report further said that Ronaldo eventually backed down on his threat.
Read More: Cristiano Ronaldo walks off the pitch as Portugal teammates continue to celebrate after World Cup 2022 Round of 16 victory
The Portuguese FA denies report that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to quit the 2022 FIFA World Cup
The Portuguese Football Federation issued a statement on Thursday denying reports that the captain of its national soccer team threatened to quit the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The Portuguese FA insisted that “at no time” did CR7 threaten to leave the national team during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“News published on Thursday affirm that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to leave the national team during a conversation with the national coach Fernando Santos,” read the statement released by the FPF.
“The FPF wants to clarify that at no time did the captain of the team, Cristiano Ronaldo, threaten to leave the team during the Qatar tournament.
“Cristiano Ronaldo continues to build on his unique record of service to the national team, which must be respected and which attests to his unquestionable degree of commitment to the national team.”
Meanwhile, Fernando Santos played Goncalo Ramos in place of Cristiano Ronaldo against Switzerland as Portugal made eight changes to the team that fell 2-1 to South Korea in their third Group G game.
Goncalo Ramos made the most of the opportunity by scoring a hat-trick and registering an assist in Portugal’s win against Switzerland. Goncalo Ramos also became the first player to score a hat-trick at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, Portugal faces Morocco in the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Morocco sealed their place in the quarterfinals after pulling off one of the tournament’s upsets by eliminating Spain in the round of 16.
Read more: Portugal crushes Switzerland to seal a spot in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals
