It only took three games for Cristiano Ronaldo to add Portuguese coach Fernando Santos to his coaching list. who can drop him this season.
After Ronaldo was upset at being sent off in Portugal’s final group game against South Korea, Santos said he did not appreciate the player’s attitude. Although Ronaldo claimed to be speaking to the South Korean player, he appeared to be swearing at the coach.
“After the game I spoke in a flash interview, then I went to the press conference and there I said another thing: I didn’t hear anything on the field,” Santos said on Monday. “I was too far away [away] and that’s why I’ve only seen him arguing with a South Korean player and nothing else.
“Have I already watched the footage? Yes. I didn’t like it. Didn’t like it at all. From there, you sort things internally. That’s how it’s settled and now we’re thinking about tomorrow’s game. “Everyone is focused on the game.”
Ronaldo was also criticized at this World Cup when he was praised for Bruno Fernandes’ goal, and in the replay he showed that he was not responsible for the goal.
Whether or not Santos will drop Ronaldo – a decision that will put him under serious scrutiny if it goes wrong – remains to be seen. But it looks like Ronaldo’s Concerned about playing time at Manchester United will definitely go to the national team.
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Ronaldo said after the game: “What happened before I came off the bench, the South Korean player told me to get up quickly. “I told him to shut up because he doesn’t have that authority. There was no disagreement [with Santos]”.
After the match, Santos supported this version of events. But it seems that he is not ready for it anymore.
Portugal will face Switzerland in the play-off on Tuesday.