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- Former coach Fernando Santos said he does not regret his decision
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Former Portugal coach Fernando Santos has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to speak to him since sacking him at the 2022 World Cup.
Eyebrows were raised around the world when the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star was dropped from the starting line-up for Portugal’s last 16 clash against Switzerland.
Goncalo Ramos’ fantastic hat-trick then kept Ronaldo out of the squad for their quarter-final against Morocco, which they lost 1-0 despite bringing the striker on later in the game.
Now, Santos has revealed that Ronaldo has silenced him since pulling out of the World Cup.
Speaking about Ronaldo’s rejection, Santos told Marca: “I would have made the same decision! It was a strategic decision. First I have to think about the team.
“I thought strategically it was the best decision. My technical team and I, as you understand, discussed this issue, it was not an easy decision.
“Even for personal issues, friendship and so on, since it had a lot of weight. My trust in him was the same.”
“Everyone who was there thought we were going to be world champions. If we had beaten Morocco and the next opponents France, maybe Cristiano would have been in the starting line-up.’
He then added: “Anyway, in terms of the pace of the game, it was his worst moment. It had no rhythm. We tried, in the games before the World Cup and then in the first few games, to give him some pace, which he lacked.
“When I called him in the morning to tell him he wouldn’t be a starter, he misinterpreted my decision. If it were today I would make the same decision.’
Ronaldo recently hit the headlines when his Al-Nasr manager said Ronaldo was ruled out of the Asian Champions League clash with Al-Duhail because he was suffering from “fatigue”.