Cristiano Ronaldo benched for Portugal’s World Cup match vs. Switzerland as spiral continues
For Portugal’s biggest game yet at the 2022 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself where he most despises.
The bench.
The 37-year-old megastar was not named in the starting lineup for the team’s pivotal Round of 16 clash against Switzerland on Tuesday. It’s the first game of the tournament that he’s a reserve.
Goncalo Ramos took Ronaldo’s place at striker.
Just days before the World Cup, recently linked with Saudi club Al-Nassr.
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The World Cup and Portugal squad were supposed to offer Ronaldo a reprieve. Instead, it’s stirred even more controversy. Portugal coach Fernando Santos says he “didn’t like” Ronaldo’s attitude after he was subbed off in Portugal’s final group game — a loss against South Korea on Friday.
Ronaldo has one goal in the tournament, scoring from a penalty in Portugal’s World Cup-opening win over Ghana.