Why is Chelsea's season suddenly falling apart?!

Culture & Clobber Axis: Jude's new look, gold Zidane Preds & more

Welcome to Amad Diallo's world 

Nunez CAN score goals! Huge late drama as Liverpool march on

Madrid's biggest problem? They've still not replaced Kroos

Editors' Picks

'Who does he think he is?' - Keane slams 'rubbish' Stewart

Endrick dedicates goals to team-mate that 'never praises me'

Zlatan offers brutal response to Ronaldo’s Ligue 1 criticism

PSG complete €70m Kvaratskhelia signing as Napoli eye Rashford

'League makes it possible' - Big call for CR7 in 1000-goal bid

What Haaland's 10-year mega deal means for City - and football

Transfers LIVE: Man Utd set to be snubbed by key target Mendes

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Ronaldo benched at World Cup 2022</li><li>Santos speaks about decision</li><li>Portugal superstar still going strong at 39</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Fernando Santos claims Cristiano Ronaldo 'respected' decision to bench him at 2022 World Cup as ex-Portugal boss remains in contact with five-time Ballon d'Or winner

Saudi Pro League

Al Khaleej

Al Nassr FC

<p>Santos raised eyebrows by <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ronaldo-benched-joao-cancelo-left-out-portugal-world-cup-last-16-switzerland/blt3605385571323199" target="_blank">benching his superstar at the 2022 World Cup</a> for Portugal's last-16 clash with Switzerland after admitting <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/portugal-boss-santos-unhappy-cristiano-ronaldo-angry-reaction-subbed/blt752700ae9c956469" target="_blank">he did not like his angry reaction to being substituted against South Korea</a>. Goncalo Ramos went on to score a hat-trick against the Swiss which meant that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ronaldo-benched-again-portugal-morocco-world-cup/bltd8bb651a38901ec5" target="_blank">Ronaldo was also left out of the starting XI for the quarter-final defeat</a> to Morocco as Santos' side were knocked out of the tournament.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The 2022 tournament in Qatar had looked set to be Ronaldo's last chance to lift the World Cup but the forward continues to bang in the goals for Al-Nassr and has returned to the Portugal starting XI under Roberto Martinez. Ronaldo will celebrate his 40th birthday in February but is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-determined-to-play-world-cup-2026-portugal-superstar-wants-one-record-to-add/bltc8307876b13a2e58" target="_blank">thought to be keen to play in the 2026 World Cup in North America, Canada and Mexico</a>. Santos, who managed Ronaldo for eight years with Portugal, says the forward "respected" his decision to drop him in Qatar and claims to still be in contact with the Al-Nassr star.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Santos told Egyptian Channel 1, via <a href="https://www.ojogo.pt/3310610443/fernando-santos-ronaldo-no-banco-ele-respeitava-a-minha-visao/">O Jogo</a>: "Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player and my relationship with him has been good since 2004, before I coached the national team. Ronaldo sitting on the bench when I was Portugal coach was a vision that Cristiano respected and we still communicate."</p>

WHAT SANTOS SAID

<p>Ronaldo scored a brace on his last outing for Portugal in November in the Nations League and spoke about his future afterwards. The 39-year-old <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-timeline-for-retirement-portugal-superstar-no-plans-to-go-into-management/blt687372e9c21b10a9#cs5b626b840247b192" target="_blank">said when he decides to hang up his international boots he will do it "spontaneously but thoughtfully"</a> and with no "advance announcements." Portugal's next fixture is a Nations League quarter-final against Denmark in March.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO

Fernando Santos claims Cristiano Ronaldo 'respected' decision to bench him at 2022 World Cup as ex-Portugal boss remains in contact with five-time Ballon d'Or winner | Goal.com

Former Portugal manager Fernando Santos has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo &quot;respected&quot; his decision to bench him at the 2022 World Cup.

Fernando Santos claims Cristiano Ronaldo &apos;respected&apos; decision to bench him at 2022 World Cup as ex-Portugal boss remains in contact with five-time Ballon d&apos;Or winner

Next Match