Cristiano Ronaldo denied that he had sworn at Portugal coach Fernando Santos when he was substituted throughout a dramatic 2-1 defeat to South Korea within the World Cup on Friday, as each groups superior into the subsequent spherical.
Ronaldo, Portugal’s captain, mentioned the feedback he made as he left the sector within the sixty fifth minute have been in truth geared toward a South Korean participant.
Portuguese media mentioned the previous Manchester United, Actual Madrid and Juventus participant, who left the English membership final month, appeared to problem Santos over the choice to substitute him, utilizing vulgar language in the direction of the coach.
“What occurred was earlier than my substitution, the South Korea participant informed me to get off shortly. I informed him to close up as he doesn’t have that authority. There was no disagreement (with the coach),” Ronaldo was quoted as saying by Portuguese reporters.
The 37-year-old is looking for to equal the Portuguese document of most World Cup targets held by Eusebio, who racked up 9 in 1966 in England, the one World Cup match he performed in.
Ronaldo final week turned the primary ever participant to attain in 5 World Cups.
Santos, requested by reporters concerning the substitution incident, additionally mentioned a South Korean participant had been aggressive in his feedback in the direction of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“I noticed the interplay with Korean participant and I’ve no doubts about what occurred,” Santos mentioned.
Ronaldo was stored largely at bay by South Korea’s defence within the Asians’ last-gasp victory over Portugal that despatched Uruguay out of the World Cup. However he was concerned within the South Korean equalizer within the twenty seventh minute when a nook struck him on the again and fell for Kim Younger-gwon to attain.
Santos made six modifications to the aspect that beat Uruguay on Monday, conscious of the chance of yellow-card suspensions within the subsequent spherical for which Portugal had already certified earlier than kick-off in opposition to South Korea.
“We’re sad. We needed to undergo with a win, we needed to undergo taking part in good soccer to maintain boosting our confidence,” Santos mentioned.
“We’re not going to lose confidence, this group has confidence, nevertheless it’s a warning, a severe warning. Maybe some constructive issues may come from this sport.”
He congratulated Paulo Bento, his predecessor as Portugal’s supervisor who’s now answerable for South Korea.
“I’ve simply given him a hug. I’m sad, he’s completely happy. I didn’t facilitate something however buddies are buddies, enterprise apart,” he added.
