ANKARA – Portugal yesterday denied reports that veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo has threatened to leave the national team during the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup after being benched in the team’s match against Switzerland.
“News released this Thursday reports that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to leave the national team during a conversation with Fernando Santos, national coach,” the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said in a statement, Anadolu Agency reported.
“The FPF clarifies that at no time did the captain of the national team, Cristiano Ronaldo, threaten to leave the national team during the internship in Qatar,” it added.
All Portugal’s players, coaches, and staff are “fully committed” and “enthusiastic about” Portugal’s task in the World Cup, it said.
Portugal will face dark horses Morocco tomorrow in Doha in the quarter-finals.
The winner will play either England or France in the semi-finals.
Ronaldo, 37, a longtime Portugal forward and Euro 2016 champion, was benched by Santos for the team’s last 16 match against Switzerland on Tuesday, which Portugal won 6-1.
He was brought on in the 74th minute when Portugal were leading 5-1.
Ronaldo has been a vital member of the national team, with his 118 goals in 195 caps making him their all-time top goalscorer, and has played in many World Cup and European Championship finals.
In November, Ronaldo, who is still a free agent, left Manchester United after his contract was terminated by mutual agreement over the player’s disputes with club manager Erik Ten Hag. – Bernama, December 9, 2022
.jpeg)
