In an unusual statement from the coach of the Portugal national team towards the star Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Santos expressed his great dissatisfaction with the image that was circulated of the "Don" during his change in the recent South Korea match, in the last matches of the World Cup group stage in Qatar, stressing that he "did not Was pleased with it."
And international media reported a picture of the Portuguese star putting his finger in his mouth, and inviting someone to silence, as he left the field by decision of his coach, a movement that was interpreted as directed at the coach, and expressing his anger at the decision to replace him, before the "Don" returned. Earlier and denies all these interpretations.
While the Portuguese media showed scenes in which they said that the attacker used obscene words in protest against Santos' decision.
"I've never liked it"
Santosh said in his response to the incident - in a press conference today, Monday - "I answered after the match and I will do it again, I do not know anything about what happened on the field, I saw him arguing with a Korean player, I do not want to talk about it anymore, but about Tomorrow's game," referring to the World Cup final match against Switzerland.
However, the Portuguese coach did not hide his dissatisfaction with Ronaldo's behavior, and admitted that he had re-watched the clip, and said, "I never liked it... I never liked it."
The moment Cristiano Ronaldo substituted in Portugal's match against South Korea (Reuters)
Santos stressed that the issue was settled within the national team's boarding house, and said, "These matters have been settled, we are solving them at home and it is over. We have reached the end of this issue, and now we are thinking about tomorrow's match, and everyone is focused on preparations."
This is happening at a time when the former Real Madrid star continues to lose consensus within his country. An opinion poll conducted by the widely circulated Portuguese newspaper "Apolla" showed that 70% of the participants did not want Ronaldo to start against Switzerland, but Santos said he did not pay attention. To debate or to polls on the Internet on this issue.
"I don't read this kind of material, it's not disrespectful, but because we have three days to train for a match, and I don't look at other types of news, we focus on the next match," the Portugal coach said.
Controversy continues to haunt the "Don"
Minutes before Santos' press conference, news spread that the Saudi club Al-Nasr was close to contracting with Ronaldo, who became a free player after his departure from Manchester United before the start of the World Cup.
Journalists did not miss the opportunity to ask Santos a question about the matter, and he replied, "I did not talk to him about this matter, I was not aware of it."
He added, "Someone told me this a few minutes ago, but this is his decision, and an issue that he has to deal with. We are focused on the World Cup and this team."
Ronaldo misses the opportunity for the second goal against Portugal
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It is worth noting that Ronaldo scored a goal in the World Cup in Qatar, from a penalty kick in the match that Portugal defeated Ghana 3-2 in the first round of Group H, thus becoming the first player to score goals in 5 different versions of the World Cup tournaments. And he is now looking forward to scoring what will be his first goal in the World Cup knockout stages.
Portugal qualified as the leader of Group VII, with 6 points, after two victories over Ghana and Uruguay, and a defeat against South Korea. In the eighth round, they will face Switzerland, who finished runner-up in Group Eight with 6 points, with two victories over Cameroon and Serbia and a defeat against Brazil.