Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Santos had a strong and fruitful partnership for Portugal. The duo was part of the most successful period of the Portuguese national team, in which they won a Nations League and UEFA Euro. The latest comments from Santos were another evidence of the strong relationship between the duo.
One of the biggest fan pages of Cristiano Ronaldo, @CristianoXtra_, reported the latest comments from Santos in a tweet. The fan page tweeted: “Fernando Santos: Cristiano is the best player in history.” The Portuguese manager stated that his former player is the best player in history. He put Ronaldo ahead of other greats like Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Pele.
Santos was appointed as the Portuguese manager in October 2014. During as tenure as the head coach, Santos managed 109 matches, in which he won 68 matches and lost only 20 matches. He won the UEFA Euro in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 to mark the most successful era for the national team.
🚨Fernando Santos:
“Cristiano is the best player in history.” pic.twitter.com/M14A0sder8
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) November 8, 2023
Santos and Ronaldo became part of soccer history when both were active on the sidelines against France in guiding the team to a shocking win over the host in the UEFA Euro final.
Fernando Santos ended his tenure with a bitter taste when he was defeated by Morocco in the Quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Santos was sacked later and was replaced by Roberto Martinez. The Spanish manager has impressed in the early days, with the national team having qualified for Euro 2024 with 10 back-to-back victories.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction to being benched by Fernando Santos in the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Fernando Santos grabbed headlines when he benched Cristiano Ronaldo against Switzerland and Morocco in the FIFA World Cup. The decision drew polarizing reviews from fans and experts, especially after Gonçalo Ramos’s hat trick against the Swiss team.
Back in February, João Félix revealed Ronaldo’s reaction to the decision by Santos: “We were surprised, because seeing Cristiano on the bench is not something you’re used to. But it was the gaffer’s decision: he’s the one who calls the shots. Cristiano reacted really well, because we were all pulling in the same direction and creating positive vibes.”
Portugal coach Fernando Santos doesn’t regret his decision to bench Cristiano Ronaldo against Morocco. pic.twitter.com/ZS4bfqBETS
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 10, 2022
Felix added how Ronaldo’s reaction helped them gain confidence by making clear that the team was together and united. Ronaldo’s exclusion from the starting lineup proved costly in the quarterfinals, as Morocco knocked the Portuguese out of the competition by a single goal.
The final few matches might put a little dent in the legacy of Fernando Santos, however, it is without a shadow of a doubt that the duo of Santos and Ronaldo has been instrumental in the most successful era of the Portuguese national team.