Ronaldo reacted angrily after being withdrawn midway through the second half of Friday’s defeat by South Korea. He put his index finger to his lips as he left the field and later said he was angered by opposing striker Cho Gue-Sung who asked him to hurry his exit. “Before my substitution, one of the players was telling me to leave quickly,” Ronaldo said. “I told him to shut up, he has no authority, he doesn’t have to say anything.” Asked about Ronaldo’s switch at a press conference on Tuesday, Santos said: “Have I seen the pictures? Yeah, I didn’t like it at all. I did not like it. I really didn’t like it. But from that moment on everything is over in this matter. These matters are resolved behind closed doors. It has been solved. Perfect on that matter and now everyone is focused on tomorrow’s match.” Quick guide
Qatar: beyond football
projection This is a World Cup like no other. For the past 12 years the Guardian has been covering the issues surrounding Qatar 2022, from corruption and human rights abuses to the treatment of migrant workers and discriminatory laws. The best of our journalism is brought together on our dedicated Qatar: Beyond Football page for those who want to delve into issues beyond the pitch. The Guardian’s reporting goes well beyond what happens on the pitch. Support our investigative journalism today. Photo: Caspar Benson Thanks for your response. Santos did not confirm whether Ronaldo would captain Portugal. “I only decide who will be captain when I get on the field,” Santos said. “I still don’t know what the composition will be. This is what I have always done and this is what I will always do and it will be the same tomorrow. The other issue is resolved. We’ve fixed it internally and that’s it.” Ronaldo became the first player to score in five World Cups when he converted the penalty against Ghana in their Group H opener. Free after leaving Manchester United, he is seriously considering a lucrative offer to join Saudi Arabian club Al Nasr. Ronaldo has received an official offer that would pay almost €200m a season under contract until 2025. Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo “That’s his decision – that’s what he has to deal with,” Santos said of Ronaldo’s future. “We are completely focused on the World Cup. That’s all we talked about.”
