Controversy continues within the state of affairs surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo within the FIFA World Cup. An afternoon after Ronaldo used to be benched by way of supervisor Fernando Santos for the facet’s round-of-16 conflict towards Switzerland, it’s been reported by way of Spanish information outlet Marca that Ronaldo neglected a coaching consultation arranged with the gamers who began at the bench within the knock-out conflict. Instead, Ronaldo stayed within the fitness center the place the starters did their paintings.
Ronaldo got here on instead within the 73rd minute of the fit, changing Joao Felix. Portugal had registered an enormous 6-1 victory towards Switzerland within the knock-out fit and sealed a quarterfinal conflict towards Morocco.
The Portuguese media used to be additionally stunned by way of Ronaldo’s absence within the coaching camp, as everybody had anticipated the superstar ahead to move out with the gamers who were at the bench within the round-of-16 conflict.
Portugal trainer Fernando Santos had thrown Ronaldo a lifeline, announcing he’d proceed to make a choice gamers in step with the strengths and weaknesses of the group’s opponent. But it is unthinkable that Goncalo Ramos, the participant who changed Ronaldo within the XI, will lose his position now for the quarterfinal fit towards Morocco.
“I will use what I believe is the right strategy, as I have done my entire life,” Santos stated, as bullish as ever.
Tellingly, Santos praised his group for enjoying with “a lot of fluidity” and “as a collective.” That taste is more difficult to forge when Ronaldo, whose mobility just isn’t what it used to be, is the only striker.
Meanwhile, Ramos wanted simply 72 mins in his first get started at a World Cup—actually, it used to be his first get started in world soccer—to turn he may well be the long run. His completing, his link-up play and his paintings off the ball underlined why he’s being spoken of as one of the vital subsequent large issues in Portuguese soccer. Ramos had scored a hat-trick and bagged an lend a hand all through his keep within the fit.