W’cup: Ronaldo dropped in Portugal’s clash against Switzerland

Portugal manager Fernando Santos has left Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Cancelo on the bench for his side’s World Cup last-16 clash with Switzerland.

Ronaldo, 37, started all three of Portugal’s group-stage fixtures but was substituted in their most recent game against South Korea, which ended in a 2-1 defeat.

Santos admitted he was annoyed with the free agent’s angry reaction to his withdrawal.

Ronaldo’s axe is the latest blow for the former Manchester United forward, who left Old Trafford after his contract was terminated by mutual consent last month. The veteran forward has struggled for goals this season, managing just one in 10 Premier League fixtures.

The Real Madrid legend hit the headlines on Friday after putting his finger to his mouth while being substituted by Santos. Ronaldo has admitted the gesture was directed at a South Korean player and not Santos, but the episode still annoyed the Portugal boss.

“When the game ended, I went to the flash [interview], and then I went to the press conference,” Santos explained. “I repeat: on the field, I didn’t hear anything, I was very far away and I only heard that he was arguing with the Korean player.

“Have I seen the images later? Yes. Did I like it? No. I really didn’t like it at all. But from there, those issues are resolved at home and it’s time to think about tomorrow’s game, which we are all focused on.”

In defense of his actions, Ronaldo said: “Before my substitution, one of their [South Korea’s] players was telling me to leave quickly. I told him to shut up, he has no authority, he doesn’t have to say anything.”

The Portugal’s all-time highest goal scorer has been linked with a sensational bid from Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr

PORTUGAL STARTING XI VS SWITZERLAND: Diogo Costa, Diogo Dalot, Pepe, Rúben Dias, Raphael Guerreiro, William, Otavio, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos