The Portuguese Football Association has debunked reports that Cristiano Ronaldo wanted to leave their Qatar 2022 World Cup camp over how he has been treated.
The 37-year-old captain was left out of the starting line-up on Tuesday as Portugal defeated Switzerland 6-1 in a round of 16 clash, with his replacement Goncalo Ramos scoring a hat-trick.
It was the first time Ronaldo would not be starting for Portuguese in a major tournament fixture since 2008.
Portuguese outlet Record claimed today that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner wanted to pack his bags and quit the World Cup after holding talks with head coach Fernando Santos, having found out he would not feature in the line-up for the last-16 fixture.
The Portuguese FA however denied the claims, insisting that Ronaldo ‘builds up a unique track record every day at the service of the national team and the country, which must be respected and which attests to the unquestionable degree of commitment to the national team.’
The FA issued a terse statement today, categorically denying the quit claims.
“Reports claiming Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to leave the national team during a conversation with Fernando Santos are not true — FPF clarifies that at no time did Cristiano threaten to leave the national team in Qatar,” the FA said.
Ronaldo has been in the news for controversial reasons in recent weeks.
He condemned Manchester United and their manager Erik ten Hag in a television interview few days to the World Cup, which ultimately led to his contract being terminated.
Ronaldo’s problem had begun when he refused to come on as a late substitute against Tottenham Hotspur, and he was also publicly reprimanded by Santos last week for his attitude after being taken off against South Korea.
Portugal will clash with Morocco in the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
