After dropping him during the 2022 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly still not spoken to Fernando Santos, the former head coach of Portugal. Eyebrows were raised when Ronaldo was not part of the starting eleven in the World Cup. CR7 was not at his best form at that point in time, having not played for Manchester United for a while. Now, former Portugal coach has come out and spoken about the same.
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Santos says Cristiano Ronaldo misunderstood him
When the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player was left off of Portugal’s starting lineup for their round of 16 match against Switzerland, it caused controversy around the globe. Cristiano Ronaldo was left off the squad for their quarterfinal match against Morocco.
This was due to Goncalo Ramos’ outstanding hat-trick performance. Despite adding the forward later in the game, they lost 1-0. Now, Santos has disclosed that since their World Cup exit, Cristiano Ronaldo has not spoken to him.
Santos said, ”I would make the same decision! It was a strategic decision. First I have to think about the team. I thought strategically that it was the best decision. My technical team and I, as you understand, discussed this matter, it was not an easy decision.’
He continued, ‘Even for issues personal, friendship and so on, since it had a great weight. My trust in him was the same. Everyone who was there thought we were going to be world champions. If we had beaten Morocco and against the next rival France, perhaps Cristiano Ronaldo would be in the starting eleven.’
Santos ended by saying, ‘Anyway, in terms of the pace of the game, it was his worst moment. He had no rhythm. We tried, during the games leading up to the World Cup, and then in the first games, to give him some rhythm, which was what he lacked. When I called him in the morning to tell him that he was not going to be a starter, He misinterpreted my decision. If it were today I would make the same decision.’
Recently, Cristiano Ronaldo gained notoriety when his manager at Al-Nassr said that the player will not be playing in their Asian Champions League match against Al-Duhail due to “fatigue.”
Ronaldo changing up retirement plans?
Cristiano Ronaldo wants to play into his 40s and hopes to play for Portugal in the next World Cup in 2026. He wants to hang around till the next World Cup, where wants to make his last appearance. Cristiano Ronaldo is hoping to postpone his retirement and continue his career in order to compete in the next World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo had stated that he intended to play at the highest level until at least 2024. This would include the European Championship finals next summer, but he now wants to play until 2027. He will turn 39 in February, and will be 41 by the time the next World Cup takes place three years later.
Also Read: Lionel Messi visits Inter Miami academy for meet & greet with Ballon d’Or in hand
In 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo became the highest-ever goalscorer in international football, with 123 goals in 201 caps for Portugal. He captained his country in last year’s World Cup finals in Qatar. Ronaldo hopes to have another shot in the WC, after winning the European Championships with Portugal in 2016.
According to sources from Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has told the Saudi football authorities that he plans to prolong his career through Early 2027. This would mean he would play for a further three seasons, according to a story in the Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.
Lionel Messi winning the World Cup would have surely stung Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese winger has always tried to upstage his nemesis. It wouldn’t be a surprise if we saw CR7 walk out leading the Portuguese team in USA in 2026.
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