Portugal fans call for Cristiano Ronaldo to be dropped in poll

Portugal fans have called on Fernando Santos to drop Cristiano Ronaldo from the team for their next World Cup game, with an overwhelming number voting against the 37-year-old starting.

So far Ronaldo, who will leave the World Cup and be out of work, following his contract being terminated by Manchester United, has just one goal in the tournament.

That came in the 3-2 win over Ghana, the country's opening group game. He won and scored a penalty for the 2016 European champions, and was accused of cheating to win the spot kick.

Since then, the European side have had to rely on goals from elsewhere, with Ronaldo unable to have a further impact on the competition.

He is of course playing in the tournament with his future in doubt, after leaving Manchester United by mutual consent after the World Cup had started, although rumours have suggested he has already decided his future, for a lot of money.

The situation at Old Trafford was down to his falling out with Erik ten Hag and the Dutchman might not be the only manager to drop the five time Ballon d'Or winner.

Following an incident when he was subbed off during the loss to South Korea, Santos hinted that he could take the captain's armband off Ronaldo for Tuesday's last 16 game with Switzerland.

But it's not just the manager who isn't sure about the all time top goalscorer in men's international football, with Portuguese outlet A Bola putting out a poll to ask if the fans want Ronaldo to start in their upcoming game.

70% of those who voted in the poll said they wouldn't start the forward, with 30% picking the striker.

Ronaldo will not be happy to find out the results of the poll. Image: Alamy

"Ronaldo and Santos are sinking the selection. He is no longer so fast and killer, it would be good for him to play the last 30 minutes," one fan explained.

A second fan wasn't even convinced the former United man should even be in the squad, adding, "He shouldn't have even been called up after everything that happened in Manchester. He had the opportunity to be the leader in this selection, but he is being an obstacle.

"He's crumbling the image he's built of himself. Lose him and lose the selection. This is no longer CR7, it's CR37, my dears."

A third said, "He has already shown that he is not in the physical and mental condition to assume the title, tactically he is harming the group."

It isn't even the first time that A Bola has questioned Ronaldo in recent months, running the headline "Less Ronaldo, More Portugal," following the side's defeat to Spain in the Nations League.

Ronaldo wasn't happy to be taken off vs South Korea. Image: Alamy

The forward is always desperate to play of course but he'll have added incentive, because his record in the World Cup is actually pretty poor.

Earlier in the tournament, he became the first man to score in five World Cups, however none of those goals has come in the knockout stages.

That's despite the fact they made it to the semi final back in 2006, although since that they haven't made it past the last 16.