Portugal coach 'didn't like' petulant Ronaldo act

1 year ago 83

Portugal manager Fernando Santos has revealed his disdain for the actions of his prima subordinate Cristiano Ronaldo, who was visibly upset by being substituted during the radical stage.

The 37-year-old reacted poorly to being taken disconnected successful the 2-1 nonaccomplishment to South Korea, and was past progressive successful an statement with absorption subordinate Cho Gue-sung arsenic helium near the field.

Ahead of Portugal's circular of 16 clash with Switzerland, Santos was asked astir the incident.

AS IT HAPPENED: FIFA World Cup, time 16

"Right aft the match, I spoke successful the flash interview, and past went to the property conference, and determination I said thing I'll repetition here: connected the pitch, I didn't perceive anything, I was excessively far, and this is wherefore I lone saw him arguing with a South Korean player, and thing else," Santos said.

"Have I already watched the footage? Yes. I didn't similar it. Didn't similar it astatine all. From there, it's things you benignant retired internally. It was sorted retired this way, and present we deliberation astir the crippled tomorrow. Everyone is focused connected the game."

Santos did not accidental whether oregon not Ronaldo would play connected Wednesday morning.

"When we're successful the stadium, they find retired astir the squad - and they cognize that," helium said.

"It's been similar this since I arrived. I volition commencement the squad that I deliberation should play. It's what I've been doing my full life. I'm OK with myself, person nary problem. I enactment with my conscience.

"Maybe aft the lucifer I bespeak connected it that I mightiness person taken a antithetic decision. But it's been similar this since I arrived successful 2014."

Despite the comments, Santos said that the concern had been resolved.

"I lone deliberation astir what's bully for Portugal and the nationalist team. And the taxable is done; we sorted it retired internally. It's each sorted out."

Ronaldo was precocious shown the doorway by Manchester United, and has been linked with a huge-money determination to Saudi Arabian nine al-Nassr - but Santos would not beryllium drawn into questions connected that.

"This greeting I spoke to the players, but we didn't speech astir this ... I don't cognize anything," helium said.

"It's his decision; it's his matter, not ours. Cristiano is 100 per cent focused connected the World Cup and connected helping the team. That's his absorption close now. About different situations, I don't cognize anything."

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