Fernando Santos slapped Cristiano Ronaldo into line as the circus surrounding the superstar kicked into overdrive - again.
Portugal’s boss addressed issues of dissent, whether the captaincy of the Selecao is up for grabs and was also quizzed on the astonishing £173million yearly offer for the 37-year-old from Saudi club Al-Nassr.
Newspaper polls at home have added to the general maelstrom of controversy - with 70 per cent of those who participated saying that Santos should drop the former Manchester United star.
Portugal face tricky opponents Switzerland at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday night with you-know-who dominating off the pitch - even though he’s shown little sign of doing so on it.
The latest rumpus started after Santos believed Ronaldo had been caught up in a fracas after he was substituted in the 65th-minute during their defeat by South Korea in the final group game. The veteran Portugal manager believed opposition striker Cho Gue-Sung had been insulting him. That was true. As it turns out, Ronaldo had also been caught moaning at his substitution. And Santos wasn’t happy.
He said: “I did a flash interview when the match ended. Then I went into the press conference. I’d heard him (Ronaldo) in discussion with Korea’s players. But I didn’t like the other images when I saw them. Not at all. I really didn’t like them. Now, everything has finished. That issue is finished. Full stop. Everyone has to focus on tomorrow.”
Asked if the captaincy was up for grabs, Santos added: “I only decide who’s going to be the captain when I reach the stadium. That’s what I always do. The other matter is solved. It’s been solved at our camp. That’s it.”
The topic then moved on to the growing feeling within the Iberian state - as per the results of the poll - that Ronaldo should be axed, with Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos favoured to take his spot.
Santos replied: “Look, I do not read this type of information. I’m not paying attention to polls or any other type of business. I’m focusing on the immediate match. I’m not worried if this is right or wrong. Since I started coaching this squad, this is the way I do things.”
Perhaps sensing the press conference was being railroaded, defender Ruben Dias made a call for calm. He said: “We think our press is supporting the team, all of the national squad, including Ronaldo.
“But I’d like to appeal to them that instead of creating a divide, can we instead create unity and a positive energy for those of us involved?”
Portugal won and lost against the Swiss in the Nations League last summer and Santos is expecting a tight game. He said: “It isn’t the first time we’ve played them. They’re well-organised, high-quality players.
“Their assistant said they are the favourites. They pass quickly, we don’t expect them to be backward. They’ll be on the front foot, similar to what we faced against South Korea. We aren’t expecting a calm game. But we think we have the skills to win.”
