Twitter reacts to Portugal benching Cristiano Ronaldo for World Cup round of 16 clash
By Sean Walsh
The decline of Cristiano Ronaldo is becoming one steep and slippery slope.
After bombing his way out of Manchester United - becoming the only footballer in history to leave a club by mutual agreement because he delivered an explosing interview to Piers Morgan - the world was watching on to see when Portugal would drop him as well.
Ronaldo started the first three of the Selecao's World Cup matches, but after being at fault for a goal against South Korea and having another whinge when being substituted, Fernando Santos put his foot down.
Portugal will start their last 16 tie with Switzerland with Ronaldo starting on the bench.
📰 𝔹ℝ𝔼𝔸𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾 ℕ𝔼𝕎𝕊: Este é o nosso 11 Inicial para hoje! 👥🇵🇹 #VesteABandeira
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) December 6, 2022
This is our Starting 11 for today! 👥 #WearTheFlag pic.twitter.com/OiKlJU44O1
Ronaldo once again told to siuuuut down on the bench https://t.co/aX13ROqJw7
— Matteo Bonetti (@Bonetti) December 6, 2022
The reality check Cristiano Ronaldo has needed for a while, as if being sacked by a club still paying Phil Jones £100k a week wasn't enough.
— Kyle Picknell (@kylepicknell) December 6, 2022
Today's column as Fernando Santos finally gives in to the greater good:https://t.co/7WihLK0D6s
Spare a thought for poor old Piersy...
It looks like Ronaldo could be benched tonight… pic.twitter.com/wkKbCO5cj6
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) December 6, 2022
Ronaldo benched and the Meghan and Harry doc comes out in 2 days, truly love to see Piers Morgan taking these Ls
— Billie (@Billie_T) December 6, 2022
Ronaldo benched for Portugal.
— Andy (@LetsTalk_FPL) December 6, 2022
Does this mean we have to go through another Piers interview?
Piers Morgan hearing Ronaldo starts on bench pic.twitter.com/Q5UFpKOg0d
— MC (@UtdMicah) December 6, 2022
Ronaldo running to Piers Morgan rn https://t.co/wX9GpZZX85 pic.twitter.com/Te6k2EK0Qc
— Bradley (@Bradley_98d) December 6, 2022
A lot of people were quick to suggest that Ronaldo could turn on Santos the way he did with Erik ten Hag, accusing the United boss of lacking respect.
Ronaldo falling out with another manager? I guess that’s the manager’s fault again #FIFAWorldCup
— Shelley Johnson (@shelleyj89) December 6, 2022
Ronaldo can protest all he wants but the reality is that managers for club and country now reckon their teams are better off without him. He reckons he can still play elite CL football but the only club keen on him at the moment is Al Nassr
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) December 6, 2022
Pretty mad that Cristiano Ronaldo keeps throwing tantrums on benches and falling out with coaches yet seems to think at 37 he's still the centre of the universe for every team he plays for.
— Scott Saunders (@_scottsaunders) December 6, 2022
Ten Hag doesn’t seem so crazy apparently, getting benched on the biggest international stage in a must win knockout game is insane…
— Mod (@CFCMod_) December 6, 2022
Ronaldo benched against Switzerland pic.twitter.com/0sEd9xGuBw
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) December 6, 2022
I’m guessing it’s Ten Hag’s fault that Ronaldo has been benched for Portugal in an important knockout game, right?
— Frank 🇩🇪 (@TenHagEra) December 6, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo was worth -16 goals in the Premier League last season.
— Jack Gallagher (@calciolovesjack) December 6, 2022
Teams are much better when he doesn't play. He's too old to contribute to a top team.
What about Ronaldo's biggest fan (besides Morgan), iShowSpeed?
Speed has gone all the way to Qatar to see Ronaldo play against Switzerland.
— george (@StokeyyG2) December 6, 2022
Ronaldo is on the bench…😭 pic.twitter.com/xfxHBtqcJ5
With kick-off approaching, Ronaldo arrived at the Lusail Stadium in a particularly sour mood...
Cristiano Ronaldo is on the bench‼️
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 6, 2022
He has looked happier 😬 pic.twitter.com/jcfZE2tC5C
Can Portugal advance with their captain on the bench?