Cristiano Ronaldo is once again at the centre of controversy, with Portugal head coach Fernando Santos having hinted at stripping the talisman of the captaincy following his latest pitch-side antics.
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The 37-year-old marksman started as captain for all of Portugal's 2022 FIFA World Cup group stages fixtures in Qatar, but his manager Santos has suggested that Ronaldo's starting berth could be under threat after the striker's actions against South Korea.
After being substituted for Andre Silva during their 2-1 defeat last Friday, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was visibly upset with his manager's decision to take him off, and the 68-year-old tactician has since revealed that he will keep the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star on his toes regarding not only his place as a starter but also as his nation's captain.
"If I see the images, yes, I didn't like it, not at all. I really didn't like it," Santos said of Ronaldo's reaction to being substituted, as per the Daily Mail.
"Everything is finished, full stop, regarding that issue and now we have to think about the match and everyone is focused on the match.
"I only decide who is going to be the captain when I reach the stadium so I don't know the line-up.
"That's what I've always done and that's what I'm always going to do. It's going to be the same with this match."
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Santos is now likely to have an inkling as to how Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag feels after the Dutchman and Ronaldo were embroiled in a similar touchline spat after the iconic forward refused to come on for the Red Devils in a fixture against Tottenham Hotspur in October.
On that occasion, the Madeira native was punished by Ten Hag with a one-match suspension, but A Selecao will be looking to put the Ronaldo controversy behind them as they prepare to take on Switzerland in their round of 16 clash on Tuesday night.
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