Portugal respond to reports of Cristiano Ronaldo threatening to leave World Cup camp

The Portugal national team have said reports of Cristiano Ronaldo threatening to leave their World Cup camp after being dropped are not true.

Portugal manager Fernando Santos decided to drop Ronaldo for his team’s last 16 clash with Switzerland after revealing he was unhappy with the 37-year-old’s reaction to being subbed off in the final group stage match against South Korea.

Portuguese publication Record have since reported that after being told he wouldn’t be starting against Switzerland, Ronaldo told Santos that he might leave Qatar altogether before calming down and changing his mind.

According to their national FA, this is untrue, with an official statement being released praising Ronaldo’s behaviour.

“News released this Thursday reports that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to leave the national team during a conversation with Fernando Santos, national coach,” a statement read.

“The FPF clarifies that at no time did the captain of the national team, Cristiano Ronaldo, threaten to leave the national team during the internship in Qatar.

“Cristiano Ronaldo builds up a unique track record every day at the service of the national team and the country, which must be respected and which attests to the unquestionable degree of commitment to the national team.

“Incidentally, the degree of dedication of the player most capped by Portugal was again demonstrated – if necessary – in the victory against Switzerland, in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup.”

Ronaldo will struggle to regain a place in the starting XI for the quarter-final against Morocco with his replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scoring a hat-trick in the game against Switzerland.