Cristiano Ronaldo has refused to speak to his former manager
Cristiano Ronaldo has refused to speak to Fernando Santos ever since he dropped him in the World Cup, the former Portugal manager claims.
In what many felt would be his final ever World Cup, Portugal crashed out in the quarter-finals at the hands of Morocco and Ronaldo, despite being captain, became a back-up.
He was dropped for the round of 16 clash against Switzerland, with Goncalo Ramos coming into the side and scoring a hat-trick in a 6-1 trouncing.
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Ramos, who was playing for Benfica at the time, retained his place for the next game as Portugal lost 1-0 against surprise package Morocco.
Ronaldo came on a substitute but was unable to save his country and was in tears.
Santos, who had guided Portugal to a European Championship win six years earlier, was dismissed following the campaign and eventually replaced by former Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.
He has since took the reins at the Poland national team but his relationship with Ronaldo, now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia, has soured badly
The two have not been in contact since the World Cup exit, with Ronaldo unhappy that he was overlooked.
However, Santos still stays he would pick up if Ronaldo called and describes him as a "son".
"We haven't spoken since I came from Qatar," he told A Bola, via Globo.
"On the day of the game, in the morning, when I went to explain that he wasn't going to play and why he wasn't playing, he misunderstood.
"From my side the relationship is the same, and he continues to be like a son to me. The day the phone rings he knows I'm always here.
"He is the best of the world. But he had a moment in his career that was very difficult. In the second half of 2022 he has six months that are terrible.
"That moment really affected him. He had no rhythm. It was a strategic issue."
Ronaldo has stayed on under Martinez and helped Portugal qualify for Euro 2024 as group winners with two games to spare.
Upon meeting the five-time Ballon d'or winner, the ex Wigan and Everton manager said he was "very surprised" by his humility.
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo
Josh Lawless