Portugal’s all-time main objective scorer with 118 objectives in 195 appearances, Ronaldo used to be benched for Tuesday’s 6–1 win over Switzerland within the closing 16 the place the 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos scored 3 in handiest his fourth look.
Ronaldo stormed off the pitch after the overall whistle crying effusively whilst being comforted by way of his workforce buddies.
“I don’t regret (leaving Ronaldo on the bench),” trainer Santos instructed a information convention on Saturday. “It wouldn’t change anything, in terms of the team. I can’t be thinking with my heart.
“I used the workforce that performed actually neatly in opposition to Switzerland and there used to be no explanation why to modify it (in opposition to Morocco). The strategic determination that I needed to make used to be probably the most toughest, however I will’t assume with my middle, I’ve to assume with my head.
“It’s not that Ronaldo is no longer a great player. That has nothing to do with it.”
Morocco’s Atlas Lions prolonged their dream run and roared into the historical past books by way of changing into the first-ever African and Arab nation to achieve the overall 4 of the match because of a Youssef En-Nesyri objective within the first-half.
Sorry cr7!! It used to be heartbreaking to look you cry đŸ˜¢! Another nice dissatisfied after Brazil, Portugal is going out! Congratu… https://t.co/av75nz5TXe
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) 1670692336000
Santos declined to touch upon whether or not he would renounce and stated he would communicate to the Portuguese FA president over the following week about his long term.
He stated his workforce had difficulties discovering areas between the disciplined Moroccan defensive traces, and he praised their warring parties for his or her effort, announcing it used to be “completely their merit.”
“Sometimes in football what you need is a little bit of luck,” Santos stated.
“We showed effort and quality, had several chances to score with Joao Felix, and Bruno Fernandes hit the bar, Pepe had a header in the end that could have been the equaliser… A bit of luck was missing.”