Portuguese Football Federation have responded to studies which prompt that Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to depart the nationwide squad after the veteran ahead began the FIFA World Cup 2022 match in opposition to Switzerland on the bench. One of the best gamers within the historical past of the sport, aim machine Ronaldo was dropped from the beginning XI by head coach Fernando Santos when the 2016 UEFA Euro winners squared off in opposition to the Swiss of their Round of 16 match on the Lusail Stadium on Wednesday.
Ronaldo’s 31-match streak got here to an finish after the previous Manchester United star did not begin Portugal’s first knockout match on the Qatar World Cup. Ronaldo was requested to heat the bench for the primary time in a significant event since 2008. The 37-year-old was used as a late substitute by head coach Santos in Portugal’s snug win over Switzerland on the FIFA World Cup 2022.
According to a report filed by Record, the talismanic ahead had a heated dialog with head coach Santos after showing for Portugal from the bench. Reacting to the sensational studies about Ronaldo, the Portuguese FA has issued a powerful assertion forward of the quarter-final assembly between Portugal and Morocco within the FIFA World Cup 2022.
“News released this Thursday reports that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to leave the national team during a conversation with Fernando Santos, national coach. The FPF clarifies that at no time did the captain of the National Team, Cristiano Ronaldo, threaten to leave the national team in Qatar. Cristiano Ronaldo builds up a unique track record every day at the service of the national team and the country, which must be respected and which attests to the unquestionable degree of commitment to the national team,” the Portuguese FA said in a statement.
Nicknamed CR7, the former Real Madrid and Juventus superstar is the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s international football. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 118 goals for Portugal. Ronaldo-led Portugal will meet giant killers Morocco in the quarter-final stage of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Saturday at the Al Thumama Stadium.
“Incidentally, the degree of dedication of the player most capped by Portugal was again demonstrated – if necessary – in the victory against Switzerland, in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup. The National Team – players, coaches and FPF structure – is, as it has been since the first day, fully committed and enthusiastic in building what the country wants to be Portugal’s best-ever participation in a World Cup.” the Portuguese FA added.