The Qatar World Cup proved to be an eventful chapter for Cristiano Ronaldo. Setting a new record by scoring in five different <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">World Cups</a>, Cristiano Ronaldo was subsequently released from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a>.



Following that, he was omitted from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/portugal-national-team-tv-schedule/">Portugal</a>‘s pivotal matches in the prestigious international tournament. Various controversies surrounded the Portuguese captain and then-head coach, Fernando Santos.



After being released by the Red Devils at the end of 2022, the veteran returned to form with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ronaldo-plans-on-staying-with-al-nassr-through-2026-world-cup-20231009-WST-461204.html">Al-Nassr</a>. He had a difficult end to the year as his hopes of leading his squad to a World Cup victory were dashed when they were eliminated in the Quarter-Finals by Morocco in mid-December.



The forward’s display in the group stage of the World Cup was underwhelming, with just one goal in three matches.



 Although he scored in the Seleção’s opening match against Ghana, the superstar was held scoreless in subsequent matches against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/uruguay-national-team-tv-schedule/">Uruguay</a> and South Korea.



It had even been suggested that he was at fault for Korea’s equalizer, scored by Kim Young-gwon when he turned his back on the ball during a corner. All this prompted the team manager to make the somewhat challenging decision to sit him out.



<h2>Fernando Santos benched Ronaldo for key World Cup games</h2>



According to reports from Portugal, the 38-year-old said something along the lines of “You’re in a f***ing hurry to sub me off” before departing the field. Even more frustrating for the ex-<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> star was the fact that a Korean player was yelling at him to hurry up as he gave off a frustrated vibe.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231112_WST_469513_Ronaldo-benched-1200x670.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-469575" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Ronaldo-benched-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Ronaldo-benched-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Ronaldo-benched-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Ronaldo-benched.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Cristiano Ronaldo was benched by his manager during the World Cup</figcaption></figure>



The Santos coaching staff decided to bench Ronaldo for a second straight game after he failed to impress during the group round. The courageous decision by the Portugal manager proved to be successful.



Goncalo Ramos, Ronaldo’s replacement, scored a spectacular hat trick and led a sparkling Portugal offensive. They advanced to the Quarter-Finals of Qatar 2022 without their captain after a dominant performance that saw them demolish Switzerland 6-1.



Reports surfaced subsequently that the renowned soccer star had threatened to quit the national team during their brief run in the elimination phase in Qatar. However, Portugal eventually dismissed the rumors.



Once again, Santos opted to bench Ronaldo in the Quarter-Finals match against Morocco, instead starting his replacement, 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos. Even though Ronaldo entered the game as a second-half substitution with his side trailing the tournament’s underdogs, his one shot on goal was easily stopped by the opposition’s goalie.



With their 1-0 victory against Portugal, Morocco made history as the first African nation to advance to the World Cup Semi-Finals.



<h2>What did Fernando Santos say of Ronaldo?</h2>



The decision to sideline Cristiano Ronaldo has been a persistent source of criticism for Fernando Santos, the former coach of the Portuguese national team. This action effectively <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/portugal-lets-fernando-santos-go-after-disappointing-world-cup-20221215-WST-412470.html">ended his time in charge</a>.



Because of the unprecedented benching of Portugal’s best player, Santos has said that they have not communicated since: “We don’t talk since … I don’t know which day, but since we came back from Qatar.



“I had a very strong relationship with Cristiano. Personal and professional. We met at Sporting when he was 19 and that relationship was strengthened from the moment we joined up with the national team. We always got along very well. The expression is a little strong, but almost like father and son, or younger brother and older brother.



“However, I made a tactical decision in Qatar and for that you need to understand a little bit about the background. I have already said that he is the best in the world but at that moment it was very difficult for him. In the second half of 2022 he had six months that were terrible, even from a personal point of view. He wasn’t part of pre-season at United and even when he returned to the squad he was barely used,” Santos said in an interview with <a href="https://www.abola.pt/futebol/noticias/fernando-santos-tenho-dois-primos-que-sao-do-benfica-e-deixaram-de-me-falar-2023110807365788317" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Bola</a>.



Photo credit: IMAGO / Pixsell IMAGO / Sven Simon

Ex-Portugal boss reveals post Qatar radio silence from Ronaldo

According to Fernando Santos, who coached Portugal last, Cristiano Ronaldo hasn't talked to him since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Ex-Portugal boss reveals post Qatar radio silence from Ronaldo - World Soccer Talk

On Wednesday, Poland relieved Fernando Santos from his post as head coach.



The 68-year-old boss won the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-european-championship-tv-schedule/">UEFA European Championship</a> with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/portugal-national-team-tv-schedule/">Portugal</a> in 2016. However, he struggled mightily in his brief time with Poland in qualification for Euro 2024.



As things stand, the Poles rank fourth out of five teams in their Euro 2024 qualification group. Despite Robert Lewandowski’s best efforts, they lost three of their first five games. Consequently, Poland sits behind Albania, the Czech Republic and Moldova.



<h2>Poland relieves Fernando Santos after just nine months</h2>



Santos’ last game in command of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/poland-national-team-tv-schedule/">Poland</a> concluded in a 2-0 loss to Albania on Sunday. A Tuesday meeting in Warsaw failed to produce a swift resolution. Then, PZPN president Cezary Kulesza <a href="https://pzpn.pl/en/national-teams/national-team-a/news/2023-09-13/fernando-santos-ceased-to-be-the-coach-of-the-polish-national-team" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">made the announcement</a> three days later.



“The Polish Football Federation (PZPN) announces that, as of September 13, 2023, coach Fernando Santos will no longer perform his duties as Poland’s national coach. I would like to thank coach Santos for working with our national team and I wish him good luck in his next sports challenges.



“The selection of a new manager is now a priority for the board of the Polish Football Association (PZPN), so we will soon announce when the presentation of the new coach will take place.”



<h5>Who will replace Santos?</h5>



Santos took over as coach when Poland sacked Czeslaw Michniewicz after the Eagles’ elimination from the 2022 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">World Cup</a> in Qatar. Lewandowski’s side reached the round of 16. It lost to eventual runner-up France, 3-1. In Poland, fans and media alike often blasted the Portuguese for not showing up for local matches. Moreover, critics took exception to his in-game strategy.



The next match is a key home qualifier against the Faroe Islands. It is unclear whether a replacement for Santos will be named in time for the match. In the event that they do not place in the top two in their group, they will still have a chance to qualify for next summer’s tournament in Germany by way of the playoffs.



PHOTO: IMAGO / Newspix

Lewandowski's Poland in search of new coach after Santos sack

Poor performance in qualifying for Euro 2024 led to the dismissal of Poland manager Fernando Santos after just six games.

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