Portugal boss Fernando Santos hints Cristiano Ronaldo might NOT play at World Cup 2022 as he questions recent form
PORTUGAL boss Fernando Santos says he's under no obligation to play benched Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup.
The 37-year-old is having a tough season both on and off the pitch.
He has just three goals to his name across all competitions and has started a considerable amount of games from the substitutes bench.
Ronaldo is also involved in an on-going row with Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag, who he says he does not respect, as well as the club.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has lifted the lid on the goings-on at Old Trafford in a sit-down interview with SunSport columnist and TalkTV main man Piers Morgan.
But despite his legendary status, Portugal boss Santos says he's not obligated to play the out-of-form star at the November-December's World Cup.
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On the all-time international top scorer, with 117 goals, Santos said on whether he is forced to play CR7: "Forced? This is not about forcing me.
"This is not a requirement. No one is forced to do anything here.
"The question could be, you could ask me, based on what Cristiano Ronaldo did [in recent weeks on the pitch] should he start?
"This is valid for Cristiano Ronaldo and all the players who are with the national team.
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"If the head coach is forced to put a player in the XI…there aren’t those things here."
Portugal play Nigeria in a pre-tournament friendly on Thursday.
They will then contest World Cup Group H against Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea.