Portuguese coach Fernando Santos has said that he has absolutely no regrets with regard to his decision to bench legendary striker Cristiano Ronaldo for the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal clash against Morocco.
The 2016 European champions lost the match 1-0 as Youssef En-Nesyri scored a towering header to give his side the decisive lead. Santos chose instead to start SL Benfica centre-forward Goncalo Ramos, who scored a splendid hat-trick in the previous game against Switzerland in addition to registering an assist.
Ramos could not have the same effect against Morocco, and as a result, Portugal crashed out of the tournament while Walid Regragui’s men marched into the semifinal, becoming the first African nation to ever qualify for that stage of a World Cup.
“I don’t think so, no regrets. I think this was a team which played very well against Switzerland. Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player, he came in when we thought it was necessary, so no regrets.
If we take two persons that were the most upset it is Cristiano Ronaldo and myself. Of course we are upset, but that is part of the job of the coach and the player,”
Santos said after his side’s defeat.
It remains to be seen if either of Ronaldo or Santos will continue with the Portuguese national team. With managers of quite a few nations quitting their respective roles after their sides were eliminated from the World Cup, it remains to be seen if Santos will follow suit.
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez and Spain national team coach Luis Enrique both resigned after the elimination of their teams. Stalwart Brazilian manager Tite was the latest to step down from his role, announcing his resignation after the Selecao’s loss to Croatia in the quarterfinals.
