Cristiano Ronaldo is having a phenomenal season at Al-Nassr, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess as the top-scorer. The 38-year-old has guided his national team, Portugal, to secure qualification for EURO 2024, which will take place in Germany next year
Portugal’s heartbreaking World Cup exit in Qatar left him in tears in 2022, which was his last chance at the world championship, as many believed. Following the elimination, his club career also suffered a blow with Manchester United, ultimately leading to a contract termination. Former Portugal manager Fernando Santos recently revealed that he is not on good terms with the Al-Nassr star.
Cristiano Ronaldo refused to speak to Santos since World Cup
Former Portugal head coach Fernando Santos and Cristiano Ronaldo together led Portugal’s national team to their first-ever International silverware in 2016 beating France in the final to lift the EURO on French soil. However, the duo failed to replicate the triumph in the next two world cups.
Santos was relieved of his position following Portugal’s shocking exit in the Quarterfinals against Morocco, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of lifting the world title and securing his second international trophy with his national side. Former Belgium boss Roberto Martinez replaced the 69-year-old Portuguese manager.
The former manager claims he and the Portugal captain have not spoken since the elimination in Qatar. Ronaldo was dropped by the boss in the Round of 16 fixture, during which Portugal cruised to a 6-1 victory against Switzerland, thanks to Portuguese star Goncalo Ramos’ hat-trick. Ramos replaced the captain in the lineup.
However, against Morocco, Ronaldo’s absence from the first eleven surely cost them and raised questions about the decision. Yet, Santos still describes Ronaldo as his son, saying he would pick up the call if the Al-Nassr star calls.
He revealed, “We haven’t spoken since I came from Qatar. On the day of the game, in the morning, when I went to explain that he wasn’t going to play and why he wasn’t playing, he misunderstood.”
He added, “From my side, the relationship is the same, and he continues to be like a son to me. The day the phone rings he knows I’m always here”.
Portugal captain Ronaldo benched as Morocco knocks them out
Portugal’s talisman and all-time top scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo was named on the bench by Portugal boss Santos for the second consecutive knockout match in the Qatar World Cup, facing Morocco in a crucial quarter-final clash. Despite Ronaldo coming off the bench, he failed to rescue his side, leading to a 1-0 defeat and elimination from the tournament.
Ronaldo was displeased with the manager’s decision to bench him. He was overlooked in an important fixture, an event that has soured the relationship between him and the manager, as the duo haven’t spoken to each other after the World Cup exit.
