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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Ronaldo benched at World Cup 2022</li><li>Santos speaks about decision</li><li>Portugal superstar still going strong at 39</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Fernando Santos claims Cristiano Ronaldo 'respected' decision to bench him at 2022 World Cup as ex-Portugal boss remains in contact with five-time Ballon d'Or winner

Saudi Pro League

Al Khaleej

Al Nassr FC

<p>Santos raised eyebrows by <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ronaldo-benched-joao-cancelo-left-out-portugal-world-cup-last-16-switzerland/blt3605385571323199" target="_blank">benching his superstar at the 2022 World Cup</a> for Portugal's last-16 clash with Switzerland after admitting <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/portugal-boss-santos-unhappy-cristiano-ronaldo-angry-reaction-subbed/blt752700ae9c956469" target="_blank">he did not like his angry reaction to being substituted against South Korea</a>. Goncalo Ramos went on to score a hat-trick against the Swiss which meant that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ronaldo-benched-again-portugal-morocco-world-cup/bltd8bb651a38901ec5" target="_blank">Ronaldo was also left out of the starting XI for the quarter-final defeat</a> to Morocco as Santos' side were knocked out of the tournament.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The 2022 tournament in Qatar had looked set to be Ronaldo's last chance to lift the World Cup but the forward continues to bang in the goals for Al-Nassr and has returned to the Portugal starting XI under Roberto Martinez. Ronaldo will celebrate his 40th birthday in February but is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-determined-to-play-world-cup-2026-portugal-superstar-wants-one-record-to-add/bltc8307876b13a2e58" target="_blank">thought to be keen to play in the 2026 World Cup in North America, Canada and Mexico</a>. Santos, who managed Ronaldo for eight years with Portugal, says the forward "respected" his decision to drop him in Qatar and claims to still be in contact with the Al-Nassr star.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Santos told Egyptian Channel 1, via <a href="https://www.ojogo.pt/3310610443/fernando-santos-ronaldo-no-banco-ele-respeitava-a-minha-visao/">O Jogo</a>: "Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player and my relationship with him has been good since 2004, before I coached the national team. Ronaldo sitting on the bench when I was Portugal coach was a vision that Cristiano respected and we still communicate."</p>

WHAT SANTOS SAID

<p>Ronaldo scored a brace on his last outing for Portugal in November in the Nations League and spoke about his future afterwards. The 39-year-old <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-timeline-for-retirement-portugal-superstar-no-plans-to-go-into-management/blt687372e9c21b10a9#cs5b626b840247b192" target="_blank">said when he decides to hang up his international boots he will do it "spontaneously but thoughtfully"</a> and with no "advance announcements." Portugal's next fixture is a Nations League quarter-final against Denmark in March.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO

Fernando Santos claims Cristiano Ronaldo 'respected' decision to bench him at 2022 World Cup as ex-Portugal boss remains in contact with five-time Ballon d'Or winner | Goal.com

Former Portugal manager Fernando Santos has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo &quot;respected&quot; his decision to bench him at the 2022 World Cup.

Fernando Santos claims Cristiano Ronaldo &apos;respected&apos; decision to bench him at 2022 World Cup as ex-Portugal boss remains in contact with five-time Ballon d&apos;Or winner