Cristiano Ronaldo was not in Portugal’s beginning line-up in opposition to Switzerland.© AFP
Portugal coach Fernando Santos stated his resolution to go away Cristiano Ronaldo out of his group for Tuesday’s 6-1 overcome Switzerland within the World Cup final 16 had been “strategic and nothing extra.” Santos had expressed his unhappiness with Ronaldo‘s response to being suspended within the remaining group stage sport in opposition to South Korea however he stated that matter had no influence. “I stated that it was closed and it was closed. Cristiano Ronaldo is among the greatest gamers on this planet enjoying professionally and as a captain … so we now have to simply take into consideration this group collectively,” he stated.
Requested whether or not it was essentially the most troublesome resolution of his profession to go away out Ronaldo, Santos stated: “I’ve a really shut relationship I all the time have, identified him since he was 19 at Sporting, after which for years right here within the nationwide squad,” he stated.
“Ronaldo and I by no means confuse the human and private side with the coach and participant relationship. He’s an important participant to have within the group,” he stated. Santos stated he anticipated a “very troublesome” sport in opposition to Morocco within the quarter-finals however stated his group had been clearly in good type.
“If we are able to proceed like this and enhance some issues then that may be a good path,” he added.
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