The star striker won’t start on the pitch in his country’s round of 16 game Tuesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of Portugal’s starting XI for Tuesday’s World Cup round-of-16 match against Switzerland on the heels of his actions while being subbed out during the team’s previous match.
Ronaldo was visibly frustrated as he walked off the field in the second half of Portugal’s final group play game against South Korea. Videos showed the 37-year-old striker having a brief verbal spat with a South Korean player and also showed him appearing to complain that Fernando Santos was “in a rush to sub me.”
Portugal was tied 1–1 at the time of the substitution in the 65th minute and had already clinched a spot in the knockout round. South Korea went onto win the match, 2–1.
On the eve of Portugal’s round-of-16 matchup with Switzerland, Santos was asked about the videos of Ronaldo that emerged and admitted that he was not pleased with the player’s actions.
“Have I seen the images? Yes, I didn’t like it, not at all. I didn’t like it. I really didn’t like it,” Santos explained, per The Guardian. “But from that moment onwards everything is finished regarding that issue. These matters are resolved behind closed doors. It’s resolved. Full stop on this matter and now everyone is focused on tomorrow’s match.”
Gonçalo Ramos will start in Ronaldo’s place on Tuesday.
The last time that Portugal started a major tournament knockout game without Ronaldo on the pitch was at the Euro 2000 semi-final. Whether or not Santos will use the 37-year-old striker off the bench remains to be seen, but Ronaldo has only come on as a substitute for Portugal three times since 2004, according to FBRef.com.
The round-of-16 match between Portugal and Switzerland is scheduled to get underway at 2 p.m. ET.
