SUMMARY
- Cristiano Ronaldo was benched during a crucial knockout game against Switzerland at FIFA World Cup 2022.
- Portugal's coach, Fernando Santos, opted for 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos. The decision raised questions about Ronaldo's role in the team.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup was one of the biggest sporting events in a long time. From Lionel Messi’s heroics to leading his team to win the World Cup to the underdog story of Morocco all the way to the semi-finals, it had everything. Such was the tenacity of the event that Cristiano Ronaldo was forced to be benched for Portugal during a knockout game.
Ronaldo who was 37 last year at the time of the World Cup didn’t have the most memorable mega-soccer event as one would have hoped. In fact, the Portuguese icon who was axed from the Manchester United squad just prior to the start of the World Cup, had a nightmare of an event.
The former Manchester United star only scored a solitary goal after playing five games in the tournament. His performance was put into question, as the then Portugal coach, Fernando Santos, removed Ronaldo from the starting XI during a round of 16 match against Switzerland. He was replaced by then 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos who netted an impressive hattrick in his first go against the Swiss opposition.
In the 2022 World Cup against Morocco, Ronaldo was benched after a diabolical performance against South Korea and after Portugal beat Switzerland 6-1 with him on the bench. He came on and made no threat to the Moroccan goal. And just like that his World Cup dreams were over. pic.twitter.com/kWsNbNK7fj
— 德瓦伊帕揚·羅伊 (@barcarokzian) April 2, 2023
Santos had previously mentioned that Ronaldo might not start the match against Switzerland. After Ronaldo’s angry reaction to being substituted in the 65th minute of the final group stage game against South Korea, which Portugal lost 2-1, the decision was made. However, the Portugal manager stated that the decision was not related to Ronaldo’s reaction, although he expressed his dissatisfaction with it.
Ronaldo was further benched in the next match against Morocco in the quarter-finals as well. His absence was felt as Portugal got eliminated from the World Cup after losing the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo invests ‘Tens of Millions’ in opulent Dubai residence
Cristiano Ronaldo has yet again added to his property portfolio after the Portuguese icon recently bought a massive mansion in Dubai.
Reports from Bloomberg Linea indicate that Ronaldo is purchasing a property on Jumeirah Bay Island, which is also known as ‘Billionaire’s Island’ due to its wealthy residents.
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Bloomberg revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo bought a mansion in Dubai on the Palm Island, the area known as Billionaires Island.
Cristiano will receive his new palace this year. 🏠 pic.twitter.com/JQudOVAh1m
— TCR. (@TeamCRonaldo) January 4, 2024
Ronaldo is scheduled to be in Dubai this month to receive the Maradona Award for finishing as the world’s top scorer in 2023. The cost of his new property is close to an amount of $27 million (approx.)
The Al-Nassr forward currently earns an estimated $215 million annually in Saudi Arabia and has established himself as one of the wealthiest sportsmen and people on the planet. His purchase of another mansion only further demonstrates his immense wealth.