Football World Cup: Santos on Ronaldo trouble: “Mad of opponents”

Portugal national soccer coach Fernando Santos explained superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s anger when he was substituted by provoking the opponent. “He was angry with a South Korean player,” Santos said after Portugal’s 2-1 draw against South Korea in the final group stage game of the World Cup.

The opponent asked Ronaldo to leave the pitch faster. “I think everyone saw that,” said Santos. Ronaldo was visibly annoyed when he was substituted in the 65th minute.

Ronaldo performed poorly

Portuguese media speculated that the 37-year-old superstar had complained about his substitution. “It was a response to the Korean’s statement. I have no doubts about that at all,” said Santos, who definitely didn’t want the comment to be taken as a complaint against his decision. Ronaldo underperformed and failed to score. Another goal would have equaled Portugal’s World Cup goal record set by Eusebio, who has scored nine times in World Cups.

Ronaldo, who is currently without a club, left the stadium quickly and without a word after the final whistle. A little later he announced on Twitter: “The first two goals have been achieved: qualifying for the round of 16 and winning the group! But there is still much more ahead of us!” Only because Uruguay beat Ghana 2-0 in the dramatic Group H final did Portugal progress as group winners despite the defeat. Uruguay fell short of a goal to advance, so South Korea also made it into the round of 16 as runners-up in their group.

First place allows Portugal to continue playing in the supposedly easier half of the tournament. The next opponent is Switzerland in the round of 16 on Tuesday. “We mustn’t let up, because at a World Cup every opponent is dangerous,” Santos warned after his team’s poor performance, especially in the second half. Full-back Diogo Dalot said: “I hope we can learn from this. We are now concentrating on Tuesday’s game.”