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Final Up to date: December 07, 2022, 08:18 IST
Portugal coach Fernando Santos (AP Picture)
Fernando Santos had expressed his unhappiness with Ronaldo’s response to being suspended within the closing group stage recreation towards South Korea however he mentioned that matter had no impression on the choice of benching Ronaldo towards Switzerland
Portugal coach Fernando Santos mentioned his determination to go away Cristiano Ronaldo out of his crew for Tuesday’s 6-1 overcome Switzerland within the World Cup final 16 had been “strategic and nothing extra.”
Santos had expressed his unhappiness with Ronaldo’s response to being suspended within the closing group stage recreation towards South Korea however he mentioned that matter had no impression.
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“I mentioned that it was closed and it was closed. Cristiano Ronaldo is without doubt one of the greatest gamers on the planet taking part in professionally and as a captain … so we have now to simply take into consideration this crew collectively,” he mentioned.
Requested whether or not it was essentially the most tough determination of his profession to go away out Ronaldo, Santos mentioned: “I’ve a really shut relationship I at all times have, identified him since he was 19 at Sporting, after which for years right here within the nationwide squad,” he mentioned.
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“Ronaldo and I by no means confuse the human and private facet with the coach and participant relationship. He’s an important participant to have within the crew,” he mentioned.
Santos mentioned he anticipated a “very tough” recreation towards Morocco within the quarter-finals however mentioned his crew had been clearly in good type.
“If we will proceed like this and enhance some issues then that may be a good path,” he added.
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