Portugal fans DEMAND Ronaldo is dropped

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 3 min read

Portugal fans have called for head coach Fernando Santos to drop captain Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench for their 2022 World Cup last-16 clash with Switzerland following his angry reaction to being substituted against South Korea in the final group stage game.

Ronaldo, 37, was one of just three outfield players to start all three group games for Portugal as Santos heavily rotated his starting XI in the loss to South Korea having already secured qualification to the knockout stages.

However, Ronaldo was furious at being substituted in the second half of the match, reportedly using vulgar language after seeing his number was being held up by the fourth official in the 65th minute.

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Furthermore, after the incident Santos admitted to the media: "I didn’t like it at all. I didn’t like it at all."

It has placed Ronaldo's future place in the starting XI in doubt, although Santos has revealed the matter has been "resolved in-house." He added: "It is the end of the story regarding this issue and now we’re thinking about the game [against Switzerland] and everyone is fully focused on the match preparations."

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Fans call for Ronaldo to be dropped

In a poll ran by newspaper A Bola, 70% of Portugal fans voted for Ronaldo to be dropped from the starting XI for the clash with Switzerland following his antics against South Korea and his poor goal-scoring form.

Ronaldo scored a penalty in Portugal's opening round win over Ghana but failed to find the back of the net against both Uruguay and South Korea, despite wheeling away in celebration against Uruguay after believing Bruno Fernandes' opener was in fact his goal.

In addition, Ronaldo netted just three goals in 16 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United before the World Cup began and has since had his contract at Old Trafford mutually terminated after his controversial interview with Piers Morgan.

Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, Goncalo Ramos and Andre Silva are among the forwards that Santos could choose were he to drop Ronaldo from the starting XI.