Former Portugal national football team head coach Fernando Santos has spoken candidly about his decision to bench football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, revealing that Ronaldo did not have any issues with being dropped to the bench. Santos, who had a long-standing relationship with the football icon, explained that the decision was part of his strategy and that Ronaldo, despite the controversy, respected the decision and understood his role on the team.
The 2022 World Cup proved to be a difficult one for Ronaldo, who was 37 years old at the time. It was not the shining tournament many expected from the iconic forward, and his performances were subject to much scrutiny. In particular, Ronaldo’s appearances in the latter stages of the competition raised eyebrows, as he was relegated to the bench in Portugal’s final two matches. This decision by Santos came as a result of multiple factors, including Ronaldo’s reaction to being substituted in a group stage match against South Korea, which was described as “angry” and perhaps a bit disruptive.
Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction with the substitution against South Korea led to a more serious discussion between him and Santos, which ultimately contributed to the coach’s decision to bench the star for the Round of 16 match against Switzerland. Instead of starting Ronaldo, Santos opted for young striker Goncalo Ramos, who was relatively unknown to many fans at the time. The decision paid off spectacularly, as Ramos delivered a standout performance by scoring a hat-trick, contributing to a resounding 6-1 victory over Switzerland. The result was a dominant performance that cemented Ramos’ place in the starting lineup for the next match.
Ramos continued his starting role in the quarter-finals against Morocco, as Santos stuck with the winning formula. However, despite being benched for these crucial matches, Ronaldo’s role on the team remained a topic of conversation throughout the tournament. Despite the disappointment of not starting in the knockout stages, Santos has revealed that Ronaldo, unlike many other superstars, took the decision in stride.
In a recent interview with Egyptian Channel 1, Santos explained that Cristiano Ronaldo had always respected his decisions, even when it involved leaving the player out of the starting lineup. “Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player and my relationship with him has been good since 2004, before I coached the national team,” Santos began, reflecting on his long-standing connection with the football legend. “Ronaldo sitting on the bench when I was Portugal coach was a vision that Cristiano respected and we still communicate.” This statement indicates that the two shared mutual respect, with Ronaldo fully understanding the tactical reasons behind the decision.
Santos also emphasized the importance of having a healthy relationship with his players, acknowledging that coaching a star like Ronaldo comes with its own set of challenges. However, his approach to managing the Portugal squad seemed to prioritize team dynamics and what was best for the overall performance of the team, even if it meant making difficult decisions regarding the lineup.
Despite the controversy surrounding his role during the World Cup, Ronaldo managed to score just one goal in the group stages of the tournament. The goal came in Portugal’s 3-2 win over Ghana, but the lack of further goals and his relegation to a substitute role in the latter stages of the competition left fans questioning his impact in the tournament. Many pundits had hoped for a more decisive role from Ronaldo, particularly as he was in the twilight of his career and playing in what could have been his final World Cup.
Before the World Cup began, Ronaldo’s time at Manchester United had already been marked by turmoil. His controversial interview with journalist Piers Morgan, in which he criticized the club’s manager Erik ten Hag, the club hierarchy, and some of his teammates, led to his departure from the English club. This further fueled the uncertainty surrounding his future, both at the club level and internationally.
Ronaldo’s exit from Manchester United created a significant amount of media buzz, but Santos’ decision to bench him at the World Cup seemed to signal a shift in the way the national team was approaching their star player. Santos remained focused on what was best for the collective, making difficult decisions with the aim of achieving success as a team, even if it meant that one of the greatest footballers in history would not always be on the field.
As for Ronaldo, despite his challenges during the World Cup, he maintained his professionalism and respect for his coach and teammates. His willingness to accept the decision to be benched, as Santos described, demonstrated his understanding of the team’s needs and his maturity as a player. However, the emotional toll of being sidelined at such a critical time in his career cannot be understated, as many wondered whether the 2022 World Cup would be his final chance to add an international trophy to his collection.
Looking back on the tournament, Santos’ decision to bench Ronaldo sparked intense debate, with some questioning whether the veteran forward still had the ability to deliver on the world’s biggest stage. Others, however, pointed to the team’s success without him in the starting lineup as evidence that the coach’s approach was valid. Despite the controversy, Portugal ultimately fell short in the tournament, losing to Morocco in the quarter-finals. The absence of Ronaldo in key moments during the knockout rounds was a topic of discussion in the aftermath of the loss, but Santos’ decision remained his own.
Santos’ revelations about his relationship with Ronaldo shed light on the complexities of managing a star player like the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. While Ronaldo is undeniably one of the greatest players of all time, his age and evolving role in the team meant that difficult decisions had to be made for the good of the team. Santos’ candidness about their relationship and his decision-making process provides valuable insight into the inner workings of a high-level football team during a major tournament.
As both a coach and a manager, Santos’ actions in the 2022 World Cup highlighted the challenges of balancing the needs of individual players with those of the team as a whole. Although the World Cup did not go as planned for Portugal, with many viewing it as a missed opportunity for Ronaldo to further cement his legacy, Santos’ approach ultimately underscored the importance of team success over individual glory. The journey of both the coach and the player during the World Cup is a reminder of the complexities and difficult choices involved in managing a team at the highest level of international football.
