Portugal boss Fernando Santos has insisted he is under no pressure to start Cristiano Ronaldo at this month's World Cup.
Ronaldo became the most prolific international goal scorer of all-time last year and has netted a staggering 117 in 191 caps for Portugal – no other player has netted triple figures for their nation. Just three months shy of his 38th birthday, Ronaldo has remained a mainstay in his side.
Not only does the Manchester United forward captain his nation but he has been an undisputed starter for Portugal throughout his career and appears likely to win his 200th cap next year, as he aims to continue playing for the nation until 2024.
When asked at a press conference on Wednesday if he was forced to play Ronaldo, Portugal boss Santos responded: "Forced? This is not about forcing me. This is not a requirement. No one is forced to do anything here. The question could be, you could ask me, based on what Cristiano Ronaldo did [in recent weeks on the pitch] should he start?
"This is valid for Cristiano Ronaldo and all the players who are with the national team. If the head coach is forced to put a player in the XI…there aren’t those things here."
Portugal have plenty of attacking options aside from Ronaldo with his club teammate Bruno Fernandes being joined in a strong list of players including Diogo Jota, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao and Joao Felix – so alternatives to the superstar are available.
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Ronaldo will not feature in Thursday's friendly clash against Nigeria as Portugal continue their World Cup preparations due to illness. "He will not be ready for that," Santos added. "He's losing a lot of liquid, he's suffering from gastroenteritis and he isn't training. He's in his room resting and recovering, I'm 100 per cent sure he won't be available."
This follows on from Ronaldo's bombshell interview with Piers Morgan in which he accused United of betrayal and trying to force him out. The Red Devils may be in a position to tear up the superstar's contract if they are advised under employment law that his behaviour is a serious enough breach of discipline.
However, Santos dismissed suggestions this could create a distraction for Portugal at the tournament: "This issue isn't related to us, it isn't related to the national team," he said. "The man, the player, decided to give an interview like other athletes and men decide to do to discuss personal matters.
"This doesn't spill out to the national team, as far as I know, he didn't talk about the national team, so it's a personal interview, which we need to respect. These days tolerance is a buzz word and we need to respect what others think and say, provided it doesn't impact what I do.
"None of my players have made a comment regarding the interview, at all. Cristiano Ronaldo is a free man. The buzz and discussion [around him] is taking place outside the national team. It doesn't impact us. It's a fact he's suffering from gastroenteritis. Any player will struggle if you’re suffering from that. He's not ready to play."
