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Former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped to the bench by Portugal boss Fernando Santos as his team beat Switzerland 6-1 in the World Cup round of 16

NEW DELHI: Portugal's star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday hit back at the media reports, terming them outside forces, that suggested that he had threatened to leave the national team during the FIFA World Cup after coach Fernando Santos benched him in their last-16 clash against Switzerland.

Cristiano Ronaldo was scheduled to take part in a training session with the rest of the Portugal players who started on the bench for the World Cup clash with Switzerland

NEW DELHI: Whether he is on the field or off it, Portuguese star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo always finds his way in the news.

Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes have allayed fears that Cristiano Ronaldo being dropped from the Portugal team will impact the squad’s harmony.

Cristiano Ronaldo was named on the substitutes' bench for Portugal's thumping World Cup win over Switzerland - the latest blow in a tumultuous few weeks for the superstar

Cristiano Ronaldo hailed Portugal’s “talent and youth” following their huge 6-1 win over Switzerland.

The former Manchester United forward was left on the bench against Switzerland as his replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick

Portugal manager Fernando Santos said Ronaldo’s place in the remainder of the World Cup still had to be ‘defined’.