This may already be the turning point of this Portugal-Switzerland. Fernando Santos has decided to do without Cristiano Ronaldo to face Switzerland in the round of 16 of this 2022 World Cup. CR7 is replaced at the forefront of the attack by Gonçalo Ramos, the scorer of Benfica Lisbon. In the rest of the eleven, no surprise on the side of Portugal. Pepe and Ruben Dias still form the backbone of the Seleção rearguard, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes will be responsible for launching the opposing offensives.
The five-time Ballon d’Or is surely paying for his attitude in the last group match against South Korea. During this match lost 2-1 by Portugal, CR7 was replaced in the 65th minute of play, visibly very annoyed. Fernando Santos was very upset about it at a press conference: “I saw the images and I didn’t like it at all. I really didn’t like it at all. These stories need to be resolved internally and that’s what has been done. Final point on this problem. »
Cristiano Ronaldo had however claimed that it had nothing to do. “It happened before my replacement. The Korean player was telling me to get out quickly and I told him to shut up because he has no authority. He doesn’t have to say anything,” justified the man who became the first player in Qatar to score in five different Worlds on Friday. Already in great difficulty for the rest of his club career since he is currently without a contract after his departure from Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo also sees his image tarnished with his selection where his place on the pitch is not his. more assured. Perhaps he will emerge as a savior from the bench…