Portugal head coach Fernando Santos has insisted he has no regrets about leaving Cristiano Ronaldo out of his starting XI following their 1-0 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-final defeat to Morocco.
Ronaldo Speaks After Shock World Cup Exit
Despite Santos' call to leave Ronaldo out of his starting XI in their 6-1 win over Switzerland in the round of 16 paying off following Goncalo Ramos' hat-trick in that match, the Benfica forward could not have the same impact on Saturday.
Ramos and his teammates squandered a number of chances in their 1-0 defeat to Morocco in the last eight, with Santos deciding to bring Ronaldo, his captain, on in the 51st minute as they were chasing the game.
Following the defeat, the experienced Portuguese tactician explained he had no regrets over leaving the ex-Manchester United forward on the bench against the Atlas Lions.
"I think this was a team which played very well against Switzerland. Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player, he came in when we thought it was necessary, so no regrets," he said, according to 90min.
"If we take two persons that were the most upset, it is Cristiano Ronaldo and myself. Of course we are upset, but that is part of the job of the coach and the player."
Portugal went a goal down moments before half-time following a towering header from Sevilla forward Youssef En-Nesyri.
Ten Hag: Ronaldo Never Told Me He Wanted To Leave
Ronaldo leaves Qatar having scored just once in the tournament, a penalty in a 3-2 win over Ghana.
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