I Have Not Communicated With Ronaldo Since World Cup Exit – Ex-Portugal Coach, Fernando Santos

Former Portugal coach Fernando Santos concluded his tenure with the national team following their elimination against Morocco in the Qatar 2022 World Cup. During that crucial match, Santos opted to keep Cristiano Ronaldo, the most iconic player in the national team’s history, on the bench. Reflecting on this decision months later, Santos defends his choice, stating it was a strategic decision made for the team’s benefit.

In an interview with A Bola, Santos justified his decision, saying, “I would make the same decision! It was a strategic decision. First, I have to think about the team.”

He emphasized that the decision was thoroughly discussed with his technical team, acknowledging the complexity of the choice given personal relationships and the weight it carried.

Despite the omission of Ronaldo, Santos remained confident in the team’s potential to become world champions. He suggested that if Portugal had advanced by defeating Morocco and subsequent opponents like France, Ronaldo might have found a place in the starting lineup.

Santos also pointed out that Ronaldo did not start a group-stage match against Switzerland, where Portugal secured a 6-1 victory. The coach hinted that the success of the team might have influenced his decision to leave out the then-Manchester United player.

From Santos’s perspective, the physical condition of Ronaldo played a significant role in the decision.

Santos remains optimistic that, with time, the situation will be understood better, even though he believes Ronaldo may have misunderstood the decision. He expressed hope for reconciliation, stating, “Someday we’ll look at each other and think: ‘We’ve always had this (good) relationship.'”