Fernando Santos Opens up About Relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘We Don’t Talk Anymore’

“We don’t talk anymore… I don’t know what day it was… We don’t talk from Qatar.” Fernando Santos has a lot on his heart. Almost a year after leaving his position as Portugal coach which he had held since 2014, the 69-year-old man finally spoke about his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo. Formerly very close, the two men have not spoken at all since the World Cup in Qatar where the elder dared to put the younger on the bench from the round of 16. An affront that the star has obviously never digested. “I made a tactical decision in Qatar”Fernando Santos still defends himself today in a long interview given to And she waswhich is touring the country.

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Flashback, to December 2022. The Seleção has just qualified for the second round of the World Cup but its defeat against South Korea (2-1) during the third and final group match causes trouble. The collective does not reassure and many observers see that there is a problem around Ronaldo. Captain and scorer in the first match against Ghana, the man who was then without a contract (he terminated with Manchester United on November 22) played at odds with his partners. At 37, it is perhaps time to offer him another role in the team and offer playing time to more dynamic, hardworking elements. The decision is made. Against Switzerland, it is Gonçalo Ramos who will start and not CR7.

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“It was a tactical decision”

“Today I would make the same decision. It was a tactical decision. I have to think about the team first. Strategically, I thought it was the best decision. With my technical staff, we discussed this question, it was not an easy decision. Even for personal questions, of friendship, it was a huge burden. It’s true. But I had a more important decision to make and I thought this was for the best.” A choice which proved the coach right since Portugal crushed the Nati 6-1, notably thanks to a hat-trick from Ramos. Ronaldo fought the last quarter of an hour but his cold anger and the shock of being a substitute also made the headlines in the Portuguese media.

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Above all, Santos no longer really has any reason to change his winning team. Facing Morocco in the quarter-final, he aligned the same men (only Ruben Neves replaced William Carvalho in front of the defense) but this time, the trio Bruno Fernandes-João Félix-Gonçalo Ramos blocked. Trailing by a goal at the break following a poor outing from Diogo Costa on En-Nesyri, the coach brought in the five-time Ballon d’Or winner in the 51st minute in place of Neves. First associated with Ramos, then with Félix, the future Al-Nassr player never really made an impact, except for a strike at the end of the match. Eliminated, he leaves the field with eyes full of tears, probably saying goodbye and forever to his dream of becoming world champion.

“I’m sad”

Since then, Ronaldo has never spoken to Santos again, thus breaking a friendship, an almost close relationship of 20 years, and to the great displeasure of the short-lived Poland coach. “It’s true that on the day of the match (against Switzerland, editor’s note), when I went to explain to him that he was not going to play and why he was not going to play, he did not understand. But I understand his reaction! I have already explained that this period was very anxiety-provoking for him, I understand because for him it is a friend who puts him aside. For my part, the relationship is the same and I still consider him as a son or a little brother. The day the phone rings, he knows I will be there. It’s guaranteed. I know it hurts, but that’s life.” However, Fernando Santos believes in reconciliation.

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“I think one day we’ll see each other again, we’ll say, ‘We’ve always had this relationship.’prophesies the 2016 European champion. There are no regrets on my part. I understand he was hurt and maybe still is. But the relationship we had is not just any relationship. One thing I’ve always told players and always done is that I separate the professional side from the personal very well. My relationship with Cristiano hasn’t changed at all. I hope that one day the current situation will change. If that doesn’t happen, I’m patient. I’m sad, but I’m ready…” The message has gotten through. Will it be heard by the native of Funchal? Fernando Santos’ phone is just waiting for that…

Pub. 08/11/2023 17:02 Updated 08/11/2023 17:47

2023-11-08 16:02:43
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