Placed on the bench by Fernando Santos against Switzerland and Morocco, in the eighth and quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo has still not spoken to his former coach and friend.
Until this famous December 6, 2022, the two men were particularly close and had maintained a flawless relationship for years. But that day, Fernando Santos decided to cause an electric shock by demoting Cristiano Ronaldo to the rank of substitute. A choice experienced as a terrible snub by the five-time Ballon d’Or winner who has never forgiven his coach. Fernando Santos confirmed this in an interview with In Bola.
The former tactician of the Portuguese selection returned to his choice concerning CR7, placed on the bench against Switzerland and Morocco during this famous 2022 World Cup. Almost a year later, he remains convinced of having taken the good decision at the time. “ The match against Switzerland went so well that there was no reason to make changes for the next match. » Portugal had indeed won 6-1.
“We don’t talk anymore…”
As for the quarter-final lost against Morocco, during which Cristiano Ronaldo entered during the game, Fernando Santos explained that he was actually seeing a little further: “ I thought it was the best solution from a strategic point of view. My technical staff and I discussed it. It was not a light decision. (…) He could have started the following match against France. » Finally, he spoke about the current state of his relations with Ronaldo: “ We haven’t spoken since I came back from Qatar. But that has nothing to do with the match against Switzerland.“
Nevertheless, a touch of sadness filtered through the rest of his remarks: “ The day of the match (against Switzerland), when I went to explain to him that I was not going to start him and why, he misunderstood me. But I understand his reaction. As far as I am concerned, my feeling about him is still the same and he remains a son or a little brother to me. (…) The day he calls me, he knows that I am there for him. It’s guaranteed. I know he was hurt, really hurt, but that’s life.“
