After being benched by means of trainer Fernando Santos within the last-16 fit in opposition to Switzerland, there was once a furor amongst soccer fanatics around the globe.
But one explicit response were given the entire consideration when Ronaldo’s female friend Georgina Rodriguez took to Instagram to proportion a put up wherein she slammed Portugal Coach Santos for benching him.
“Congratulations Portugal. While the 11 gamers sang the nationwide anthem the entire cameras have been on you. What a disgrace we weren’t in a position to experience the most productive participant on the earth for 90 mins. The crowd did not prevent calling for you and shouting your identify. Let’s hope that God and your true pal Fernando keep shut and make us enjoy some other magical evening.”
Ronaldo didn’t start a game for Portugal in any major tournament for the first time since 2008.
Goncalo Ramoswho started in place of Ronaldo, justified the shock decision by scoring a hat-trick on his full debut as Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 on Tuesday to power into the World Cup quarter-finals.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s introduction in the 73rd minute elicited the biggest roar of the night. Ronaldo did have the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out for a clear offside.
The only man to score at five World Cups, Ronaldo was left out by Santos against the Swiss following his angry response to being substituted in the last group game.
Santos later said the decision to bench the Portugal star had been “strategic and not anything extra”, unrelated to his substitution against South Korea.
(With inputs from Agencies)