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Portugal boss blasts Cristiano Ronaldo’s strop at being subbed and refuses to guarantee he’ll start v Switzerland


CRISTIANO RONALDO cut a tired-looking figure in Portugal’s training ahead of their World Cup round of 16 clash with Switzerland.

The 37-year-old free agent hasn’t had the best of World Cups, scoring just one goal.

Ronaldo was looking tired in trainingCredit: EPA
The free agent covered his faceCredit: EPA
Portugal boss Santos has refused to rule out dropping RonaldoCredit: Getty

Ronaldo’s only strike came from the penalty spot and he has been slammed for his performances, in particular his 65-minute cameo against South Korea.

The game saw Ronaldo assist South Korea’s equaliser by turning his back while defending a corner.

Ex-Manchester United ace Ronaldo then threw a strop as he was hooked for Andre Silva, which didn’t please Portugal manager Fernando Santos, who has refused to rule out dropping his captain.

And Ronaldo was looking tired and fed-up ahead of what could be his last World Cup appearance if the Swiss pull off a shock result.

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Ahead of Tuesday’s round of 16 clash with Switzerland, Santos said: “I only decide who is going to be captain when I reach the stadium.

“I still don’t know what the lineup will be.

“That’s what I’ve always done and that’s what I’m always going to do and it’s going to be the same tomorrow.

“The other topic is solved. We have fixed that in-house and that’s it.”

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Ronaldo managed just two shots against South Korea

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On Ronaldo’s strop, Santos said: “Have I seen the images?

“Yes, I didn’t like it, not at all. I didn’t like it. I really didn’t like it.

“But from that moment onwards everything is finished regarding that issue.

“These matters are resolved behind closed doors. It’s resolved.

“Full stop on this matter and now everyone is focused on tomorrow’s match.”

Ronaldo’s next club is yet to be decided after Man Utd ripped up his contract following his bombshell sit-down interview with SunSport columnist and TalkTV main man Piers Morgan.

It is said he will move to the Middle East to play for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

Marca reported last week that Ronaldo had agreed a stunning £173million-a-year deal with Al-Nassr.

Santos says there has been no talk on Ronaldo’s future while he is in the Portugal camp.

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The Euro 2016-winning manager said: “That is his decision – that’s what he has to deal with.

“We are totally focused on the World Cup. That’s all that we spoke about.”

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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