“You Can’t Win A Football World Cup With Cristiano Ronaldo On The Bench…”, This Is What Luis Figo Spoke About Ferando Santos After Portugal Were Knocked Out Of The FIFA World Cup 2022

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo News: Portugal’s shocking 1-0 defeat to Morocco on Saturday put an end to Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of winning a FIFA World Cup. With Ronaldo coming in as a second-half replacement, Morocco became the first African nation to go to the World Cup semifinals.

In the round of 16, Portugal faced Switzerland without Ronaldo. Despite eventually winning 6-1, Portugal’s assault was unable to break through the resolute Moroccan defence for most of the second half. Moroccans were handed another setback when star centre defender and captain Roman Saiss was injured. He had to be carried off the field on a stretcher in added time.

Luis Figo, the former captain of Portugal and a previous number 7 jersey holder before Ronaldo, has criticized Fernando Santos for his decision to bench the former Real Madrid attacker.

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What did Luis Figo say about Cristiano Ronaldo not playing?

The 38-year-old Ronaldo is largely anticipated to retire from international play after the World Cup in Qatar. Ronaldo played in his 196th international match on Saturday. Thus putting him tied for second all-time in international appearances. After Portugal’s 1-0 defeat to Morocco in the World Cup semifinals on Saturday, Ronaldo was in tears as he walked to the dressing room.

Given the wealth of skill in Portugal’s team, a run to the quarterfinals was a bare minimum expectation. After taking care of business in its first two games, the club cruised through the group stage. The last group stage encounter was a 2-1 victory against South Korea thanks to an injury-time goal. 

The team subsequently went on to beat Switzerland 6-1 in the round of 16. Coach Fernando Santos shuffled his starting eleven extensively for each of these games. Portugal was anticipated to get through Morocco in the quarterfinals despite Morocco’s strong defence and position as the surprise of the tournament. This loss represents a squandered chance and perhaps an overall underperformance by Ronaldo and his squad.

“You can’t win a Football World Cup with Ronaldo on the bench. Alright, you won against Switzerland? Great result! But can you do this every game? No. Leaving Ronaldo out was a mistake. This loss is on the team management and the manager,” said Figo on Sports18.

Without a question, Cristiano Ronaldo will go down as one of the all-time greats of professional football. However, he is unlikely to win the World Cup, which would be the crowning achievement of his sparkling career. Ronaldo, at 37 years old, will have to go home empty-handed from the FIFA World Cup 2022 after Portugal was eliminated in the group stage.

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Meet Rohit Sarkar, a passionate football and cricket enthusiast, who transformed his ardour for the sports into a successful seven-year career as a sports journalist. With a keen eye for detail and a deeply ingrained understanding of the beautiful games, Rohit’s expertise has been captivating audiences across a myriad of leading sports websites.Rohit embarked on his journey as a sports writer in 2016, initially writing for local sports publications. His profound knowledge, combined with an ability to weave compelling narratives around players, teams, and matches, swiftly captured the attention of a broader audience. His journey has since seen him contribute to some of the most well-respected sports news platforms globally.What truly sets Rohit apart is his exceptional ability to dissect both football and cricket games. His comprehensive analyses cover the full spectrum - from the technical tactics on the field, player performance, to the captivating stories behind the scenes. His pen brings to life the exhilarating emotion and the nail-biting tension inherent in both sports.The core of Rohit's work lies in his devotion to the sports he grew up adoring. He seamlessly translates his understanding of the game dynamics, honed over years of avidly watching and playing, into his writing. His pieces are deeply rooted in authenticity and respect for the games, qualities that endear him to his readers.Despite the significant difference between football and cricket, Rohit has managed to bridge the gap and cater to the fans of both sports. His work exhibits a deep understanding of the intricacies of the sports, balanced with a storytelling flair that keeps readers engaged and enlightened.Today, Rohit Sarkar is a trusted name in the world of sports journalism. His thought-provoking articles and in-depth analyses continue to be featured across multiple high-profile sports platforms. Through his powerful words, Rohit continues to bring sports lovers closer to the heart of the games they cherish.Rohit is more than a sports writer; he is a storyteller, and most importantly, a passionate fan. He does not just report the sports; he lives and breathes them, bringing his readers along on the journey, one article at a time.

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