The former Manchester United superstar was dropped by Portugal for their win against Switzerland.

After being benched for Portugal’s impressive victory against Switzerland, Fernando Santos has stated that former Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo did not seek to quit the Portugal camp. Ronaldo was omitted for the match.

At the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, Ronaldo, who was 37 at the time, started all three of the group’s games. However, despite the facт that his team’s place in the round of 16 was on the line at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday night, he was inexplicably left off the roster by Santos. This came after he voiced his displeasure at being taken off during their previous World Cup match against South Korea.

Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos, who was Ronaldo’s replacement in the team, scored a superb hat-trick as Portugal notched up a resounding 6-1 win to clinch their place in the quarter-finals. This added insult to injury for Ronaldo, who had already been injured in the match. The match against Morocco in the round of 16 is up next for his nation, and it will take place tomorrow afternoon.

During Santos’ pre-match press conference for the match against Morocco, Ronaldo questions naturally came up during the press conference. He said: “He has never mentioned to me that he was considering quitting our national team.

“It is high time that we put an end to this discussion as well as the controversies that it has sparked. In recognition of all that Ronaldo has accomplished for Portuguese football, it is high time for you to stop bothering him and give him some space.”

Santos added: “After lunch on the day of the match against Switzerland, I approached him and extended an invitation to visit my office. Since Cristiano has traditionally been the first player on the field, he was not pleased to learn that he would no longer be given that opportunity.

“He asked me, ‘Do you really think it’s a good idea?’ But after that, we had a regular talk in which I stated my position, and of course, he accepted them. We had a conversation that was both candid and natural.”

The explosive interview that Ronaldo gave to Piers Morgan last month was the impetus for his second departure from Manchester United. During the January transfer window, he will be free to sign with any club of his choosing.