The former Portugal coach tells how Cristiano Ronaldo’s surprise reaction when told he would be a substitute at the World Cup: ‘He misunderstood me’

Cristiano Ronaldo played five games at the World Cup in Qatar (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

he Qatar World Cup Probably the last one in the game cristiano ronaldo.The Portuguese striker remains hopeful of surpassing his fourth-place finish in 2006 and reaching the World Cup for the first time in his career, but Early exit against Morocco in the quarter-finals He ended a game in a dispute with his coach, Fernando Santos.

Nearly a year after those short circuits occurred, saint Interviewed by a Portuguese newspaper to the ball A behind-the-scenes look at moments of communication CR7 His determination to leave him on the bench for the last 16 clash has shaken his strong relationship with his former coach: “On the morning of the game, when I went to explain to him that I was not going to play, why I wasn’t playing ? misunderstood me. I understand your reaction. As far as I’m concerned the relationship is the same, he’s still like a son or a brother to me. “

They performed poorly in the group stage, scoring just one goal Ghana They forced a change of formation. his replacement, Goncalo Ramosand hat trick On the 6-1 win over Switzerland to book a ticket to the World Cup quarter-finals: “This game was so exciting, the next games no need to change“. He came on 40 minutes before the end of the game against Morocco, but Unable to reverse Yusuf En-Nesyri’s 0-1 scoreline.

The 69-year-old driver made this decision based on his preparations before the race.Cristiano arrived after very little training bad cycle At Manchester United. In addition, one of the twins he was expecting with his wife died; Georgina Rodriguez, hitting him from the family level. Santos mentioned these problems in his explanation: “He spent six terrible months in the second half of 2022, mentally and physically. It all started with the misfortune that happened to him and his family, and none of us wanted to go through this misfortune. That moment had a huge impact on him. Then there’s the sports part. He didn’t play in the preseason and didn’t practice for two months.I have no game rhythm“.

After leading Portugal in 109 games, Fernando Santos made a brief stop in Poland, where he led six games with a 3-3 record (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

World Cup elimination sparks angry messages from couple loopholes Criticism of DT: “Today, Your friend and coach made the wrong decision. You have tons of admiration and respect for this friend. When he brought you on, the friend saw everything change, but it was too late. “”You can’t underestimate the best players in the world and the most powerful weapon you possess, Just like you can’t protect someone who doesn’t deserve it.. “Life teaches us lessons, today we don’t fail, today we learn,” he added.

In this sense, Fernando Santos Revealed he had cut off contact with his attacker since the fall altumama stadium: “We haven’t spoken since I came from Qatar.. We have a very close relationship both athletically and personally. What happened has nothing to do with that. This is a technical decision“.

“If it happened to me today, I would do the same thing. I think strategically it was the best decision. it’s not an easy decisionbut the team comes first,” he assured. And declared: “I don’t regret. I knew he was hurt then, and I realized maybe he still was. But our relationship is more than just any relationship. “

Likewise, he opened the door to a reconciliation with Portugal’s all-time top scorer: “The day the phone rings, you always know I will be here. It’s guaranteed. I know it hurts you, but that’s life.”

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