According to the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to leave the national team when Fernando Santos dropped him during the World Cup’s last-16 match.
Goncalo Ramos, Portugal’s most capped player and top scorer, scored a hat-trick in their first knockout game against Switzerland on Tuesday. In a late appearance, Ronaldo came on as a substitute.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the national team captain, never threatened to leave the team in Qatar at any time, the FPF stressed.
Against Switzerland, Portugal’s most capped international player once again demonstrated his commitment.
Ronaldo hasn’t scored since Portugal’s opening goal against Ghana, when he became the first player in five World Cups to score from the penalty spot. He reaffirmed his commitment to the cause via social media hours after the FPF statement.
There is no external force that can break a united group. It’s a nation too brave to fear anything. It’s a team in the truest sense of the word that will fight to the end! We’ve got your back! He wrote
Twitter.
Um grupo demasiado unido para ser quebrado por forças externas. Uma nação demasiado corajosa para se deixar atemorizar perante qualquer adversário. Uma equipa no verdadeiro sentido da palavra, que vai lutar pelo sonho até ao fim! Acreditem connosco! Força, Portugal!🇵🇹🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/gUeENXSB5F
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 8, 2022
The preparations for Portugal’s quarter-final match against Morocco are proceeding as planned, according to midfielder Otavio, adding that there was no argument, even though Ronaldo was miffed about not playing.
As far as I can tell, everything was pretty normal; there was no argument at all. It was never discussed that he would leave,” the 27-year-old said.
Whenever you don’t get the chance to play, everyone is bitter, and that’s perfectly natural. There is still a strong sense of unity and focus among us.
Whether he’s on the bench or not, Cristiano’s heart and soul are with the national team.
