Ex-Portugal coach Fernando Santos has revealed that he hasn’t spoken to Cristiano Ronaldo since 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Former Portugal manager Fernando Santos has stated that despite no touch since the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he is always there for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo scored just one goal in three group-stage games at last year’s World Cup in Qatar. As a result, Santos chose to rest the renowned forward in favor of Goncalo Ramos against Switzerland in the Round of 16. Ramos scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 victory and started against Morocco in the quarter-finals.
Portugal, on the other hand, was defeated 1-0. Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s introduction in the second half, they were unable to break down Morocco and were eliminated.
Roberto Martinez took over when Santos was fired. Ronaldo hasn’t spoken to him since the event, according to the former, who told A Bola:
“We haven’t spoken since I came from Qatar. On the day of the game, in the morning, when I went to explain that he wasn’t going to play and why he wasn’t playing, he misunderstood. From my side the relationship is the same, and he continues to be like a son to me. The day the phone rings he knows I’m always here.”
Cristiano Ronaldo has been on a roll under Martinez. He scored nine goals in seven games to help Portugal qualify for the UEFA Euros in 2024.
Jose Mourinho Wants To Work In Saudi Pro League
In the summer, Jose Mourinho turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia in order to remain with AS Roma. While he has no plans to leave Roma anytime soon, the Portuguese manager has confirmed that he would work in Saudi Arabia at some point.
He stated (as reported by Mirror):
“I will go to Saudi Arabia in some free time, but I am convinced that I will work there. I don’t know when, but I am pretty sure of it. No one knows the future, but I will definitely do this [working in Saudi Arabia]. Doors are always open for me in Saudi Arabia. I want to feel the development there.”
Mourinho also discussed Cristiano Ronaldo’s January relocation to Saudi Arabia, which cleared the path for many other stars to follow suit this summer:
“Cristiano was the first to go there and give a different perspective immediately. The players thought at first that it was a one-man show but they realised in the summer that everything was really changing.
“Many players, not just at the last period of their careers, but also some players at the best years of their careers, are coming because the competition is real, not just at domestic League, but also the AFC Champions League is very interesting.”
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr on a free transfer in January and has since scored 29 goals and provided 11 assists in 35 games in all competitions for them. He has had a significant impact on the promotion of Saudi football.
It also resulted in the summer moves of talents like as Karim Benzema and Neymar.
