The end of an era? Portugal consider the unthinkable with calls to drop Cristiano Ronaldo for World Cup tie

Simon Collings
·2 min read
The end of an era? Portugal consider the unthinkable with calls to drop Cristiano Ronaldo for World Cup tie

Cristiano Ronaldo should be dropped from the Portugal team for tonight’s World Cup clash against Switzerland, according to a poll in leading Portuguese newspaper A Bola.

Ronaldo’s place in the team is under threat after he was criticised by Portugal head coach Fernando Santos for the way he reacted to being substituted against South Korea last week.

Ronaldo was accused of swearing at Santos, which he denied as he insisted his anger was directed towards Korea forward Cho Gue-sung after he told him to hurry up and get off the pitch.

Either way, Santos made clear during Monday’s press conference ahead of tonight’s World Cup last-16 tie that he was unhappy with Ronaldo’s conduct.

“I didn’t like it. Not at all. I did not like it. I really didn’t like it,” said Santos.

“And therefore from that moment onwards you have people, everything is finished, full-stop regarding that issue. The topic is solved. We fix that at home and that’s it.”

Santos’ comments represent a sea change in the mood around Ronaldo, who has previously been untouchable for Portugal.

The Portugal head coach refused to guarantee if Ronaldo would start tonight and that may actually go down well with Portuguese fans.

FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar | Best Images and Moments

Brazil players make tribute to Pele after reports of his ill health (AFP via Getty Images)
Brazil players make tribute to Pele after reports of his ill health (AFP via Getty Images)
Croatia defeat Japan in the first penalty shootout of the 2022 World Cup (Getty Images)
Croatia defeat Japan in the first penalty shootout of the 2022 World Cup (Getty Images)
Jude Bellingham relaxes after his star dislay against Senegal (The FA via Getty Images)
Jude Bellingham relaxes after his star dislay against Senegal (The FA via Getty Images)
Aziz Behich comes within inches of completing an unlikely Australia comeback against Argentina in the last-16 (Getty Images)
Aziz Behich comes within inches of completing an unlikely Australia comeback against Argentina in the last-16 (Getty Images)
Vincent Aboubakar celebrates a famous winner for Cameroon against Brazil (AFP via Getty Images)
Vincent Aboubakar celebrates a famous winner for Cameroon against Brazil (AFP via Getty Images)
Luis Suarez stunned as his last World Cup ends in an early exit (Getty Images)
Luis Suarez stunned as his last World Cup ends in an early exit (Getty Images)
South Korea celebrate knocking out Uruguay with a last-minuter winner in the group stage (Getty Images)
South Korea celebrate knocking out Uruguay with a last-minuter winner in the group stage (Getty Images)
Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma appears to have the ball over the line before crossing it for a goal during the World Cup group E soccer match between Japan and Spain, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar (AP)
Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma appears to have the ball over the line before crossing it for a goal during the World Cup group E soccer match between Japan and Spain, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar (AP)
Germany players stand dejected at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E campaign and match v Costa Rica (AFP via Getty Images)
Germany players stand dejected at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E campaign and match v Costa Rica (AFP via Getty Images)
England’s Marcus Rashford scores their first goal from a free kick past Wales’ Danny (REUTERS)
England’s Marcus Rashford scores their first goal from a free kick past Wales’ Danny (REUTERS)
A pitch invader runs across the field with a rainbow flag during the World Cup group H match between Portugal and Uruguay, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail (AP)
A pitch invader runs across the field with a rainbow flag during the World Cup group H match between Portugal and Uruguay, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail (AP)

In the build-up to tonight’s game, Portuguese newspaper A Bola ran a poll on their website asking fans whether Ronaldo should start against Switzerland. The results, which were published yesterday, showed 70 per cent of voters wanted Ronaldo axed.

Ronaldo is Portugal’s captain and the all-time top scorer in men’s international football, but recent weeks have shown how his star power now appears to be on the decline.

The 37-year-old had his contract at Manchester United mutually terminated last month and he is now weighing up a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.

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