After being benched by coach Fernando Santos in the last-16 match against Switzerland, there was a furor among football fans across the globe.
But one particular reaction got all the attention when Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez took to Instagram to share a post in which she slammed Portugal coach Santos for benching him.
“Congratulations Portugal. While the 11 players sang the national anthem all the cameras were on you. What a shame we were not able to enjoy the best player in the world for 90 minutes. The crowd didn’t stop calling for you and shouting your name. Let’s hope that God and your true friend Fernando stay close and make us experience another magical night.”
Ronaldo didn’t start a game for Portugal in any major tournament for the first time since 2008.
Goncalo Ramos, who started in place of Ronaldo, justified the shock decision by scoring a hat-trick on his full debut as Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 on Tuesday to power into the World Cup quarter-finals.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s introduction in the 73rd minute elicited the biggest roar of the night. Ronaldo did have the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out for a clear offside.
The only man to score at five World Cups, Ronaldo was left out by Santos against the Swiss following his angry response to being substituted in the last group game.
Santos later said the decision to bench the Portugal star had been “strategic and nothing more”, unrelated to his substitution against South Korea.
(With inputs from Agencies)
