CNN
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Cristiano Ronaldo has discovered himself in unfamiliar territory this season – however regardless of the place he’s within the stadium, the cameras observe.

After it was introduced he would begin Portugal’s World Cup spherical of 16 match in opposition to Switzerland from the bench, big swathes of photographers swarmed across the crew’s substitutes previous to kick off.

Such was the virtually comical variety of cameras with their lenses skilled on Ronaldo, it triggered laughter amongst most his fellow Portuguese reserves.

The substitute’s bench isn’t someplace the Portuguese celebrity has spent a lot time since making his profession debut all the way in which again in 2002, together with his goalscoring talents too essential for groups to deliver him off the pitch or depart him out of the beginning lineup.

Nonetheless, this season has been completely different.

All eyes were on Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday, despite him starting on the bench.

Now 37 years previous, Ronaldo’s legs seemingly don’t possess fairly the identical zip they as soon as used to and whereas he stays one in all soccer’s nice goalscoring threats, his growing lack of mobility means he not suits the high-octane urgent model of soccer many groups wish to play within the fashionable sport.

That led to him being rapidly benched by new Manchester United supervisor Erik ten Hag, who prefers a high-pressing, energetic model, one thing Ronaldo made identified he wasn’t pleased with.

When Ten Hag requested Ronaldo to return off the bench earlier this season in opposition to Tottenham, the previous Actual Madrid man threw a strop and walked again down the tunnel, refusing to enter the sport.

That led to Ronaldo being dropped from the match day squad for United’s subsequent sport. Subsequently the Portuguese star addressed his habits in an Instagram put up, although he stopped in need of an apology.

“As I’ve at all times performed all through my profession, I attempt to stay and play respectfully in direction of my colleagues, my adversaries and my coaches,” he wrote.

Subsequent got here the tell-all interview with Piers Morgan, by which Ronaldo known as out nearly all people at Manchester United – together with the cooks – which in the end result in the tip of his second stint on the membership as each events determined to half methods.

Rumors have been swirling since his departure from Manchester United that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is near signing with a membership in Saudi Arabia, one thing he has denied.

Then on Tuesday, Ronaldo was ignored of the beginning lineup for Portugal at a serious event for the primary time since Euro 2008.

It’s nonetheless not clear precisely why Ronaldo was dropped to the bench, however his performances of late have been nicely under the lofty requirements he has set for himself all through his profession.

Portugal head coach Fernando Santos stated in his pre-match press convention that he was sad together with his captain’s response to being substituted within the earlier sport in opposition to South Korea.

Cristiano Ronaldo was supportive of his Portuguese teammates from the bench.

Given Ronaldo’s response to being benched for United after which being taken off in opposition to Korea, it’s truthful to imagine individuals might need anticipated an identical response on Tuesday.

In Ronaldo’s protection, nonetheless, that was not the case.

He was seen cheering on his teammates for a lot of the match and joined in with the celebrations once they scored, together with these of Gonçalo Ramos, who changed Ronaldo within the beginning lineup and scored this World Cup’s first hat-trick.

However in Ronaldo’s roughly 20-minute cameo throughout Portugal’s 6-1 demolition of Switzerland, he nonetheless confirmed what he’s able to doing in entrance of purpose.

Along with his solely actual probability of the match, Ronaldo buried his shot previous Yann Sommer however was denied a purpose by the linesman’s offside flag.

His star high quality stays, too, with the Lusail Stadium stuffed with chants of “Ronaldo, Ronaldo” when he entered the sphere of play to arguably the most important roar of the evening – the sport’s seven objectives included.

In his absence, Portugal produced by far its finest efficiency but in Qatar and the hammering of a superb Switzerland crew has helped elevated Santos’ facet to critical contenders to win the World Cup.

It unclear whether or not Ronaldo will regain his place within the beginning lineup for Portugal’s quarterfinal in opposition to Morocco, however even when he doesn’t, Santos having the ability to name on one of many biggest goalscorers within the sport’s historical past isn’t a foul choice to have.