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Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence amid reports he threatened to leave Portugal team after World Cup game
Country's Football Federation denied media speculations after the captain was benched for their first knockout game on Tuesday as they beat Switzerland
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo is pictured on the substitutes bench. Photo: Reuters
Portugal's Football Federation (FPF) have denied media reports that captain Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to leave the national team during the World Cup after coach Fernando Santos dropped him for their last-16 win over Switzerland.
Ronaldo, Portugal's most-capped player and all-time top scorer, was benched for their first knockout game on Tuesday as they beat Switzerland 6-1, with his replacement Goncalo Ramos netting a hat-trick. Ronaldo made a late substitute appearance.
"The FPF clarifies that at no time did the captain of the national team, Cristiano Ronaldo, threaten to leave the national team at any stage in Qatar," it said.
"The level of commitment of Portugal's most capped international player was once again demonstrated ... in the victory against Switzerland."
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during training. Photo: Reuters
Ronaldo has struggled to find the net since converting from the penalty spot in Portugal's group opener against Ghana, when he became the first player to score in five World Cups.
The 37-year-old reiterated his commitment to the cause on social media hours after the FPF statement.
"A group too united to be broken by external forces. A nation too brave to let itself be frightened by any adversary. A team in the true sense of the word, which will fight for the dream until the end! Believe with us! Strength, Portugal." he wrote on Twitter
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Portugal play Morocco in the quarter-finals on Saturday and midfielder Otavio said their preparations for the game are going ahead as normal, adding that there was no argument even if Ronaldo was miffed at not starting against Switzerland.
"I think everything is pretty normal, there was no arguing whatsoever. There was no talk about him leaving," the 27-year-old said.
"Everyone is bitter when you don't get to play, that's perfectly natural, and I think that's it. We're still very united and focused.
"If you look at the pictures or video, you see that Cristiano's heart and soul is in the national team, regardless of whether he's on the bench or not."
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