The news that superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is leaving the team came out after he was not included in the starting eleven against Switzerland in the pre-quarters of the Qatar World Cup.
The Portugal Football Federation (FPF) has responded to rumors that Cristiano Ronaldo will leave the national team following a falling out with coach Fernando Santos. The federation denied media reports that Ronaldo had threatened to quit the national team.
The news that superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is leaving the team came out after he was not included in the starting eleven against Switzerland in the pre-quarters of the Qatar World Cup. It was the first time since 2008 that Portugal started a match without Ronaldo at a major tournament. Rono entered the field as a substitute in the 73rd minute. But Gonzalo Ramos, who replaced Rono, scored a hat-trick and upheld the coach’s decision
But the Portuguese Football Federation explained that the captain Cristiano never threatened to leave the team in Qatar. Cristiano is a player who sets new records every day for the national team and the country. It has to be accepted. CR7’s commitment to the national team is unquestionable. Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been on the field most times for Portugal, was also evident in the match against Switzerland. A win against the Swiss team in the pre-quarters was inevitable. The team, players and coaches are striving for the best performance of the Portugal team in the history of the World Cup, the Portuguese Football Association said in a press release.
Portugal will face Morocco in the quarter-finals on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been playing for Portugal for 19 years, is the all-time leading scorer in men’s football. Rono’s achievement is 118 goals in 195 matches.