Football

World Cup 2022: Ronaldo’s Telling Response to Santos Sacking

World Cup 2022: Ronaldo’s Telling Response to Santos Sacking

When Portugal’s World Cup campaign in Qatar was ended by tournament underdogs Morocco, it was inevitable that the nation’s long-time manager, Fernando Santos, would be facing the sack.

Despite the fact that Santos was under contract with Portugal until Euro 2024, the Portuguese Football Federation confirmed the coach’s departure from the management role less than a week after Portugal’s 2022 World Cup exit at the Al Thumama Stadium.

In a statement released last Thursday, the organization said, “It was an honor to have a coach and a person like Fernando Santos at the head of the National Team.”

“The FPF thanks Fernando Santos and his technical team for the services provided over eight unique years and believes that this thanks is also made on behalf of the Portuguese people,” the press release read.

“The FPF Board will now begin the process of choosing the next national coach,” it concluded.

Portugal Success Under Santos

Though Santos reign as manager of the Portuguese national team ended in disappointment, he oversaw a very successful time for the side in his years in charge. Santos took over in 2014 and his management saw Portugal lift the European Championship trophy in 2016. Three years later, Portugal won the first ever UEFA Nations League tournament.

Upon his departure, many of those involved with the Portugal international setup have thanked Santos for his service to the team in public.

“Thank you Mister Fernando Santos!” veteran center-back Pepe posted to his social media upon hearing the news, “Thank you for your work, your leadership, your commitment. For the joys and victories over the years. Thank you for serving Portuguese soccer and Portugal excellently.”

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes also added his thanks to Santos into the mix.

“Many thanks to mister Fernando Santos,” he said  on social media, ” Thank you for the opportunity to represent our country and for the trust in us the past few years.”

“As a Portuguese, thank you for putting Portugal at the top of Europe and returning confidence and belief to a ‘small’ country that it was possible to be among the ‘big ones’,” he added, “Moments of glory and joy and others of sadness and frustration, but history was made and will forever be marked in the hearts of all Portuguese.”

Ronaldo Refuses to Thank Santos

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However, despite the many thanks Santos received on social media and beyond, one big name was noticeably absent from the thank-you letters posted to the ex-Portugal manager.

Cristiano Ronaldo has maintained radio silence since Santos’ sacking, maybe in reaction to his disappointment at being knocked-out of what may be his last World Cup finals. However, Ronaldo and Santos’ relationship has not been good for some time and the player’s lack of reaction may provide a glimpse into the pair’s relationship at the moment.

Ronaldo’s Poor Relationship with Santos

Five years after Ronaldo and Santos were photographed holding aloft the European Championship on their return to Portugal, their relationship has diminished dramatically.

Santos called out Ronaldo in public for his dramatic reaction to being subbed off in Portugal’s eventual loss to South Korea in the group stages of the Qatar World Cup.  He was also dropped from the starting lineup in the side’s knock-out games, a point of real controversy.

There were also rumors that Ronaldo would leave the Portugal camp Roy Keane-style. The 37-year old was subbed on to try and rescue Portugal when they were down to Morocco but to little avail, and the Ronaldo’s chances of World Cup glory were gone.

Ronaldo’s partner, Georgina Rodriguez, also added fuel to the fire when she posted a lengthy message on social media following Portugal’s exit from the World Cup.

“Today your friend and coach made the wrong decision,” Rodriguez said on social media.

“That friend for whom you have so many words of admiration and respect. The same one who, when putting you on the field, saw how everything changed, but it was too late.


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