“We discussed for the bench, but now leave him alone”- Corriere.it

“Leave Ronaldo alone,” says Fernando Santos with a decisive attitude on the eve of Morocco-Portugal which is worth the semi-final of the World Cup, a goal never reached by an African team and which also makes the Seleçao very tempting as it grapples with the CR7 catchphrase.

In Portugal’s home, they don’t talk about anything else. In the press conference almost only questions about Cristiano. And the answers, in part, have arrived. The coach confirmed that there was and even heated discussion with his captain: «I usually write the formation on the blackboard, but in Ronaldo’s case, for what he represents, I had decided to anticipate the decision. He didn’t understand.”

And here the versions don’t match. According to Record, the sports newspaper that anticipated the news, Cristiano had threatened to leave the training camp, say goodbye to Qatar and return home. Santos denies: “He never said he wanted to leave.” But the case exists and risks undermining the serenity of the group, on the eve of a complicated match because Morocco has the overflowing energy of its people and is not satisfied with the success in the quarterfinals against Spain. There is a split within the Portuguese group. Josè Fonte, one of the old men of the group, is convinced that without Ronaldo the team will play better. And the match against Switzerland would seem to prove him right. Now we need to see what Fernando Santos will decide for tomorrow afternoon’s match. But considering that Gonçalo Ramos, 21, replaced his captain by scoring three goals on his debut as a starter, it’s easy to imagine that the old Cristiano could have another bench. The question is open. But the feeling is that CR7 is also becoming a supporting actor in the national team.