Al-Schahania (AP) – The Portuguese football federation has rejected reports of an alleged threat to depart from superstar Cristiano Ronaldo due to his reserve role.
The association clarified that Ronaldo “never threatened to leave the national team in Qatar”, reads a statement. Portuguese newspaper Record previously reported that Ronaldo had threatened to quit the World Cup after learning he had been knocked out of the starting XI in the round of 16.
National team coach Fernando Santos is said to have told Ronaldo in a “tense conversation” ahead of the 6-1 win against Switzerland that the superstar would initially sit on the bench. It was the first time since 2008 that the forward had not been in the starting line-up in a match Portugal played in a major tournament. A heated argument ensued, during which Ronaldo threatened to leave Qatar, Record reported. The 37-year-old then changed his mind.
Ronaldo then replied on Twitter, but without making explicit reference to the association’s report and statement. “Too close-knit group to be torn apart by outside forces,” he wrote in front of a cheering team photo. “A nation too brave to be intimidated by an opponent. A team in the truest sense of the word that will fight to the end for the dream! Believe in us!”
The federation has now announced that Ronaldo “builds a unique story every day in the service of the national team and the country, which must be respected and which shows an undeniable commitment to the Seleção”. The round of 16 win against Switzerland also showed how committed Ronaldo was to the team. The captain came on as a substitute in the 74th minute and celebrated his side’s first two goals as a substitute. After the final whistle, he was the first to disappear into the locker room.
