Cristiano Ronaldo Benched again in Quarter-Finals- FIFA Worldcup 2022

Cristiano Ronaldo was benched again on 10 December, as Portugal takes on Morocco in the third and most crucial quarterfinal for the country in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022.

Previously during the Portugal’s Round of 16 match against Switzerland, Ronaldo was benched, but was called in as a substitute in the 72nd minute of the match.

Citing the reason for putting Ronaldo in the bench, Fernando Santos — Portuguese team manager — cited the player’s altercation with Lee Sung-Jae of South Korea as soon as he was asked to come out. Santos had since expressed his unhappiness with the event.

The 37-year-old, criticised by the coach for his reaction to being substituted against South Korea, saw his replacement, Goncalo Ramos, hit a hat-trick on his full debut in a 6-1 victory.

It was the first time Ronaldo had been left out of the starting XI at a major finals since 2008.

Portugal face Morocco in the quarter-final and, on the role of a man who left Manchester United under a cloud during the tournament, Santos admitted: ‘That is still something that has to be defined.