Cristiano Ronaldo is not in the starting lineup for Portugal’s match against Switzerland on Tuesday in the round of 16 of the World Cup. This came in after his coach expressed frustration about his team captain’s attitude in the last game. Gonçalo Ramos, who plays for Portuguese club Benfica, is starting in Ronaldo’s place at Lusail Stadium. Portugal coach Fernando Santos said his decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo out of his team for Tuesday’s 6-1 triumph over Switzerland in the World Cup last 16 had been “strategic and nothing more."
While many were bummed about this decision as this hints towards the decline of the player, there were many who took to Twitter and shared memes on the same. Have a look:
Football coaches are so powerful. Portugal coach didn't like Ronaldo's behaviour, so he benched the most popular person on planet. In cricket, if the coach doesn't like captain's behaviour, the coach gets fired.
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) December 7, 2022
Ronaldo watching this Ramos masterclass from the bench pic.twitter.com/7gdqgX5rdT— ksi (@KSI) December 6, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo seeing he's on the bench vs Switzerland pic.twitter.com/7JF8yzRFE6— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) December 6, 2022
Portugal if Ronaldo was always on the bench: pic.twitter.com/nfCQkGUvB4— Jacob Meme (@jacobotweets) December 6, 2022
IShowSpeed has travelled all the way to Qatar to see Ronaldo play against Switzerland and he’s on the bench… #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/yjrPZ1Ii25— Football Memes (@FootballMemesCo) December 6, 2022
Christiano Ronaldo practicing his bench before Portugal vs Switzerland #memely@memelyxyz pic.twitter.com/Utgw2vClGm— Meme Arena (@Memes_arenaPro) December 6, 2022
Meanwhile, in a conversation with AFP, Santos said, “I said that it was closed and it was closed. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world playing professionally and as a captain … so we have to just think about this team collectively." When asked if it was the most difficult decision of his career to leave out Ronaldo, Santos said, “I have a very close relationship I always have, known him since he was 19 at Sporting, and then for years here in the national squad."
“Ronaldo and I never confuse the human and personal aspect with the coach and player relationship. He is a very important player to have in the team," he said.
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