DOHA – Portugal coach Fernando Santos said his decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo out of his team for Tuesday’s 6-1 triumph over Switzerland in the World Cup last 16 had been “strategic and nothing more”.
Santos had expressed his unhappiness with Ronaldo’s reaction to being substituted in the final group-stage game against South Korea but he said that matter had no impact.
The star striker initially said he was showing his anger because he was “insulted” by a South Korean player as he was being brought off the pitch. But Portuguese media have since shown images that suggest he used vulgar language in response to Santos’ decision.
“I said that the issue was closed. Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world playing professionally and as a captain... so we have to just think about this team collectively,” Santos said.
Asked to explain his decision to drop Ronaldo – the first time he has failed to start for Portugal at a major tournament since Euro 2008 – the 68-year-old insisted that it was simply tactical.
“Andre (Silva) is a great player who plays more advanced. Cristiano is more fixed, he stays in a more determined area towards the box. Goncalo (Ramos) has different characteristics. He is very dynamic... and that is what he ended up showing us,” Santos said of his decision to play Ramos in place of Ronaldo, with the former scoring a hat-trick.
“It is nothing new. Ramos already came on in two matches and Andre also played in a previous match, so I would say I have three players I fully trust. For each match, I will use which player I see for my strategy. All the players on the bench can be used (against) Morocco (even) if they are not in the starting XI.”
Santos was also asked whether it was the most difficult decision of his career to leave out Ronaldo in a crucial World Cup knockout game and he added: “I have a very close relationship with him, I always have. I have known him since he was 19 at Sporting and then for years here in the national squad.
“Ronaldo and I never confuse the human and personal aspect with the coach-and-player relationship. He is a very important player to have in the team.”
Looking ahead, Santos said he expected a “very difficult” game against Morocco in the quarter-finals, but said his team were clearly in good form.
“If we can continue like this and improve some things then that is a good path,” he added.
“I told the players not to be too excited and euphoric. We have to be careful not to have too much fun because you can make things more complicated. I don’t think that happened tonight and I don’t want it to.” AFP
