Portugal coach blasts Ronaldo for sub reaction

DOHA, Qatar -- Portugal manager Fernando Santos blasted Cristiano Ronaldo's absorption to being substituted successful Friday's World Cup crippled against South Korea and refused to corroborate whether the striker volition play against Switzerland connected Tuesday.

Ronaldo looked visibly frustrated erstwhile helium was replaced successful the 65th infinitesimal of the 2-1 defeat, with cameras catching the 37-year-old appearing to say, "He's successful a unreserved to sub me."

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Ronaldo was past progressive successful a verbal altercation with South Korea subordinate Cho Gue-Sung arsenic helium near the field, and it was lone aft the crippled that Santos realised however Ronaldo had reacted to his substitution.

"Let's divided this reply successful two," said Santos erstwhile asked astir video footage appearing to amusement Ronaldo criticising the determination to substitute him.

"Right aft the match, I spoke successful the flash interview, and past went to the property conference, and determination I said thing I'll repetition here: connected the pitch, I didn't perceive anything. I was excessively far, and this is wherefore I lone saw him arguing with a South Korean player, and thing else.

"Have I already watched the footage? Yes. I didn't similar it. Didn't similar it astatine all. From there, it's things you benignant retired internally. It was sorted retired this way, and present we deliberation astir the crippled tomorrow. Everyone is focused connected the game."

Despite holding clear-the-air talks with Ronaldo, Santos refused to corroborate whether helium would beryllium named successful the squad for the round-of-16 necktie with Switzerland astatine Lusail Stadium -- perchance his past crippled astatine a World Cup.

"I lone archer the squad who volition play successful the dressing room," Santos said.

"When we're successful the stadium they find retired astir the team. And they cognize that. It's been similar this since I arrived. I volition commencement the squad that I deliberation should play. It's what I've been doing my full life. I'm OK with myself, person nary problem. I enactment with my conscience.

"Maybe aft the lucifer I bespeak connected it that I mightiness person taken a antithetic decision. But it's been similar this since I arrived successful 2014.

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"I lone deliberation astir what's bully for Portugal and the nationalist team. And the [Ronaldo] taxable is done, we sorted it retired internally. It's each sorted out."

Meanwhile, sources person told ESPN that Ronaldo is nearing an statement with Saudi Arabian nine broadside Al Nassr pursuing his departure from Manchester United.

There is increasing assurance astatine Al Nassr that a woody tin beryllium finalised aft Portugal's World Cup campaign.

"I didn't talk to him astir that," Santos said. "This greeting I spoke to the players, but we didn't speech astir this. I didn't cognize thing astir this topic, to beryllium fair. When I arrived present [at the quality conference] idiosyncratic told maine astir the news.

"But I don't cognize anything. It's his decision, it's his matter, not ours. Cristiano is 100% focused connected the World Cup and connected helping the team. That's his absorption close now. About different situations, I don't cognize anything."