Portugal manager Fernando Santos responds to claims that under-fire captain Cristiano Ronaldo should be dropped × Follow Us Create Notifications New User posted their first comment this is comment text Link Approve Reject & ban Delete Log in Manage your profile Editing Story Queue Video Queue Editing Stats Writer Home SEO Redirection Admin Wiki Edits Taxonomy Home Edit Site Menu Mapping Dashboard Tag Pages Community Social Feed Queue Feed Center Notification Center Affiliate Home Manage Pages Bottom Tagline Dash Timeless Stories Logout Football News

Portugal manager Fernando Santos responds to claims that under-fire captain Cristiano Ronaldo should be dropped

By Sushan Chakraborty Modified 28 Sep 2022 Follow Us Comment Share Fernando Santos suggests that he will not drop struggling Cristiano Ronaldo Responding to calls about dropping Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal manager Fernando Santos has hinted that he will continue to keep trust in his 37-year-old talisman. Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo started in Portugal’s UEFA Nations League Group A2 matchday six clash against Spain on Tuesday night (September 27). The five-time Ballon d’Or winner struggled to find his footing, squandering a couple of good chances to put the Navigators on the scoresheet. TC@totalcristianoCristiano Ronaldo is 37. He needs confidence, rhythm and momentum. He is missing all of that and it is hard to gain during the season. Mentally and physically he looks exhausted. But he’s given me and many of us the best moments in football and I’ll watch him until the end.7866900Cristiano Ronaldo is 37. He needs confidence, rhythm and momentum. He is missing all of that and it is hard to gain during the season. Mentally and physically he looks exhausted. But he’s given me and many of us the best moments in football and I’ll watch him until the end. Alvaro Morata found the back of the net for Spain in the 88th minute, sealing a 1-0 win for La Roja and booking their place in the final four of the UEFA Nations League. After the match, Santos was quizzed about the fate of Cristiano Ronaldo and about whether or not he would consider dropping him. Santos said that he was more concerned with his team’s collective performance, hinting that he might not make the impossible call of dropping Ronaldo. In his post-match press conference, he said (via the Manchester Evening News): “What interests me is how the team played. Ronaldo had three or four chances. Two very good ones, which he usually scores. He didn't score. It's football. This is the second time we've conceded a goal right at the end [after the Serbia defeat]. If we have to defend we should defend with everything. The players and I are devastated at the end of this game.”

Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes backs under-fire skipper Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo squandered two glit-edged opportunities to find the back of the net for Portugal on Tuesday. In the 47th minute, he was played through on goal by Diogo Jota, but his left-footed effort was straight at Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon. Right at the death (90th minute), Ronaldo got an opportunity to equalize, but his shot at the near post was easily saved by the Spanish shotstopper. SPORTbible@sportbibleCristiano Ronaldo has been SLAMMED by the Portuguese media after his 'disasterclass' against Spain last night.12384533Cristiano Ronaldo has been SLAMMED by the Portuguese media after his 'disasterclass' against Spain last night. https://t.co/OfzxpS1gZi Ronaldo has faced criticism for his lackluster display against Enrique’s team, but Manchester United and Portugal teammate Bruno Fernandes has backed him to regain his goalscoring touch. Speaking to Diario Record (via United in Focus), Fernandes said: “It wasn’t just Cristiano who failed. We all tried and we couldn’t. The Spain goalkeeper did very well. Cristiano is fine, with the ambition to help the national team, as he always has been and there is no need to make great stories." He added: “Cristiano was frustrated, just like the rest of us. He wants to score goals and the goals are going to come along. These are phases. When you score you will have more peace of mind to continue scoring many goals for us. Don’t forget you’re the goal-scoring record holder for the team.” Poll : 0 votes Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Sushan Chakraborty × Feedback Thank You! Be the first one to comment Follow Us Share Show More Comments GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ Be the first one to comment on this story More from Sportskeeda Fetching more content... 1 Manage your profile Editing Story Queue Video Queue Editing Stats Writer Home SEO Redirection Admin Wiki Edits Taxonomy Home Edit Site Menu Mapping Dashboard Tag Pages Community Social Feed Queue Feed Center Notification Center Affiliate Home Manage Pages Bottom Tagline Dash Timeless Stories Logout No Results Found Get the free App now Manage notifications Popular ‍ Sports (30+) CricketCricket HomeScheduleT20 World CupT20 warm upIND vs SAENG vs PAKAUS vs ENGLegends LeagueECS T10 CroatiaWBBL 2022ECC T10SMAT 2022Bukhatir LeagueNZ T20 Tri-SeriesWomen's Asia Cup 2022ECT10 FootballFootball HomeNewslettersSK Experts ScheduleEPLNations LeagueLa LigaLigue 1Champions LeagueFIFA WCMLS Bundesliga Serie A WWEWWE HomeNewslettersRumor RoundupRAWSmackDownResultsRosterChampionsWWE Crown Jewel 2022PPV ScheduleAEW EsportsEsports HomeMinecraftOverwatch 2RobloxGenshin ImpactFortniteGTAStreamersFree FirePUBGValorantBGMIPop CultureAnimeGaming TechWiki Guides TennisTennis HomeTennis calendarTennis Results TodayATP RankingsWTA RankingsRoger FedererRafael NadalNovak DjokovicSerena Williams MMAMMA HomeUFC NewsONE ChampionshipUFC Fight NightScheduleRankingsResultsUFC Fights TonightONE Championship ResultsONE Championship ScheduleONE Championship Rankings KabaddiKabaddi HomePKL 2022PKL SchedulePKL Points TableKabaddi Rules WikiWiki HomeMinecraft WikiNaruto WikiTikTok WikiYoutube WikiGTA WikiTerraria WikiOne Piece Wiki MoreSportsBasketballIndian FootballNFLMinecraftFormula 1NascarPop CultureCollege FootballHockeyGolfAthleticsBadmintonGymnasticsWrestlingSwimmingTennisShootingBoxingArcheryWinter SportsRobloxFree PicksSkateboardingKho KhoLifestyle LINKS About Us Write For Us Policies Editorial Standards Journalism Awards Fact Check Affiliate Program Careers CSR Privacy Policy Contact Us Edition: English हिन्दी