It’s “high time to leave Cristiano Ronaldo alone”, said Portugal coach Fernando Santos.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) denied such an incident involving the 37-year-old and Santos explained the conversation the couple had.
“He never told me he wanted to leave our national team,” Santos said.
“It is high time to stop this conversation, to stop the polemics.
“It’s high time you left Ronaldo alone, in recognition of what he has done for Portuguese football.”
Santos, who was speaking ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final against Morocco (1500 GMT), also explained the conversation that took place when he told Portugal captain Ronaldo he would drop him against Switzerland.
“I spoke to him after lunch on game day and invited him to my office,” Santos said.
“For obvious reasons, Cristiano was not very happy because he was always the starter.
“He was like, ‘Do you really think that’s a good idea?’
“But we had a normal conversation in which I explained my views and of course he accepted them. We had a frank and normal conversation.”
striker ronaldo left Manchester United by mutual agreement before the opening of the Portugal World Cup after a controversial interview in which the five-time Ballon d’Or winner strongly criticized the club.
He was substituted in Portugal’s first two games and Santos said he ‘didn’t like’ Ronaldo’s reaction when he was substituted again in the 2-1 group. loss to South Korea.
Goncalo Ramos started in place of Ronaldo against Switzerland and the 21-year-old netted a hat-trick in the 6-1 win.
Ronaldo, who is Portugal’s most capped player (195) and all-time top scorer (118), was used as a late substitute in that game but then walked off the field as his teammates still celebrated the victory .
