Cristiano Ronaldo: Joao Felix has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction to being dropped to the bench for Portugal’s FIFA World Cup 2022 knock-out fixtures.
Cristiano Ronaldo captained Portugal at FIFA World Cup 2022, where the EURO 2016 winners reached the quarter-final. Cristiano Ronaldo started for Portugal in all three of their group stage games at Qatar 2022 as they sealed their spot in the next stage of the competition as Group H toppers.
In the round-of-16 clash with Switzerland, Fernando Santos, who was Portugal’s manager at the time, dropped Cristiano Ronaldo from the starting XI in a decision that surprised many. Portugal would go on to win the game 6-1, and Ronaldo made an appearance off the bench.
Fernando Santos once again left Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench when Portugal squared off with Morocco in the quarter-final. Ronaldo once again came off the bench but could not help his side find an equalizer as Morocco progressed to the semi-final and knocked Portugal out with a 1-0 win.
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Joao Felix reveals how Cristiano Ronaldo reacted to being benched for Portugal’s knock-out fixtures at Qatar 2022
In an interview with Spanish outlet AS, Joao Felix, who was also part of the Portugal national football team that participated in Qatar 2022, has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction to Fernando Santos dropping him to the bench.
Joao Felix revealed that the Portugal players were surprised by the decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo out of the starting XI. Joao Felix also said Cristiano Ronaldo reacted to that very well and that their star man looked to give the team confidence.
“We were surprised, because seeing Cristiano on the bench is not something you’re used to,” Joao Felix told AS [via GOAL].
“But it was the gaffer’s decision: he’s the one who calls the shots. Cristiano reacted really well, because we were all pulling in the same direction and creating positive vibes. His reaction was really good for the rest of us because he looked to give the team confidence and make it clear that we were all in this together. It was really good for us and he just kept on being a real help in every way.”
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was a free agent during FIFA World Cup 2022 after Manchester United terminated his contract by mutual consent, currently plays for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
Joao Felix, meanwhile, joined Chelsea on loan from Atletico Madrid in the 2023 January transfer window.
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