The Portuguese Football Association responded to reports about the threat of star Cristiano Ronaldo to leave the national team camp in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, because he did not participate mainly against Switzerland in the round of 16.
Coach Fernando Santos made a surprising decision to keep Ronaldo on the bench in the match that took place last Tuesday, and his young replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick in the sweeping 6-1 victory over Switzerland.
Ronaldo entered the 73rd minute when Selecao was leading 5-1, but the Portuguese newspaper Record reported that the striker had previously threatened to leave after a charged conversation with Santos.
The Portuguese Football Federation said in a statement today, Thursday, “The federation makes it clear that the Selecao captain never threatened to leave the national team during his stay in Qatar. Every day, Ronaldo works to enhance his exceptional record of serving the national team and the country, and this is something that must be respected.”
The federation indicated that the participation of Ronaldo, who scored one goal in Qatar from a penalty kick in the first round against Ghana, in the match against Switzerland was further evidence of his commitment.
Ronaldo is the most capped player with Portugal, and is the top international scorer in football history.
Portugal will meet Morocco on Saturday in the quarter-finals, and Ramos is likely to start instead of Ronaldo again.
The 5-time Ballon d'Or winner did not train with the other substitutes on Wednesday, but rather participated in a session in the gym alongside those who started against Switzerland.