Cristiano Ronaldo benched by the Portuguese manager ahead of their World Cup game with Switzerland. Ronaldo of course was complaining when he came off in the last match. It makes sense that the Portugal coach is benching Ronaldo for this game. At some point he has to show who is the leader of the team, right. Is it Ronaldo or the coach….
Image credit goes to Fox Soccer for the above picture – where it seems the fans were right prior to the match about wanting Ronaldo benched.
From ESPN: Fernando Santos blasted Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction to being substituted in Friday’s World Cup game against South Korea
“Have I already watched the footage? Yes. I didn’t like it. Didn’t like it at all. From there, it’s things you sort out internally. It was sorted out this way, and now we think about the game tomorrow. Everyone is focused on the game.”
Ronaldo made over $500K per week playing for Manchester United. Now there’s talk of him going to Saudi Arabia where he could make $4 million per week. Yet despite all the money he is making he’s still whining when he comes off the pitch and not playing selflessly on the field. Often shouting for the ball when it’s maybe better if someone else takes a shot on goal instead of him.
Ronaldo has had a hard time adjusting to the final years of his soccer career. Which is understandable. He wants to play and wants to win. It will be interesting to see how he handles being benched for this World Cup game.
I think Portugal have enough quality in their team to win without Ronaldo. Also, sometimes his presence on the field is more of a detriment. Since he can run as much as he used to and offer much as far as defending. However, it’s not a bad thing to have one of the best players to ever play the game available on the bench. Perhaps Ronaldo will come on and score a game winner for Portugal!
What’s more, with Ronaldo being benched it will fall to central defender Pedro to captain the team.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has been BENCHED against Switzerland. 😳 pic.twitter.com/PeqJooZXNj
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 6, 2022
It’s not the first time that Ronaldo has been benched or not started a game for Portugal.
2008 – Cristiano Ronaldo is not starting a game for Portugal at a major tournament for the first time since 2008 (also against Switzerland), ending a 31-game streak. Benched. pic.twitter.com/LW7MekodRa
— OptaJoao (@OptaJoao) December 6, 2022
The “World Cup Tonight” crew preview the Portugal versus Switzerland matchup and discuss whether Portugal should start Cristiano Ronaldo.
