Santos refuses to discuss Ronaldo future as Portugal focus on Switzerland at World Cup
Veteran attacker, without club since leaving Manchester United, has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammate Joao Felix after scoring the opening goal in the 3-2 win against Ghana at the Stadium 974 in Doha on November 24, 2022. AP
Ronaldo and the Portugal team celebrate. Getty
Ronaldo celebrates scoring from the penalty spot. EPA
Cristiano Ronaldo's delight after scoring. Getty
Ghana's midfielder Andre Ayew celebrates with teammates after levelling at 1-1. AFP
Joao Felix celebrates scoring Portugal's second goal with teammates Joao Cancelo and Bruno Fernandes. Reuters
Portugal manager Fernando Santos refused to be drawn on Cristiano Ronaldo’s club future ahead of the country’s World Cup last-16 encounter with Switzerland.
Ronaldo, the Portugal captain, is without a club since leaving Manchester United last month and has been linked heavily this past week with a move to Saudi Arabia.
On Monday, reports in Spain said the forward had signed a money-spinning contract with Riyadh side Al Nassr, with the deal apparently to begin on January 1.
However, speaking later that day as he previewed Tuesday’s tie with Switzerland, Santos said: “I have not spoken to [Ronaldo] about this. I don't know about this. It is his decision. I did not even know about this and I heard about this when I arrived here.
“We are focused on the World Cup. I don't know anything about this other issue.”
Reports in Portugal have centred on whether Ronaldo would feature against Switzerland. The 2016 European champions, who qualified for the knockouts by finishing first in their group, are seeking to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2006.
True to form, though, Santos would not confirm if his star player would make the starting line-up at Lusail Stadium.
South Korea 2 Portugal 1: player ratings
SOUTH KOREA RATINGS: Kim Seung-gyu – 7. Could do little about the opening goal, but made a number of terrific saves, including three to his right to deny Ronaldo (later adjudged offside), Dalot and Vitinha in the first half. Solid throughout. Getty
Kim Moon-hwan - 5. A comfortable evening, though one in which he didn’t make a huge impact. Getty
Kwon Kyung-won - 6. Came into the defence for Kim Min-jae, who suffered a calf injury on Monday. Helped restrict Portugal to half chances. AFP
Kim Young-gwon - 8. The experienced defender won a lot of aerial battles in his own half, and at the other end he got on the end of a corner to scramble home an equaliser. AFP
Kim Jin-su - 5. Poorly positioned when Portugal broke the deadlock and they continued to try and expose him. He thought he’d scored his third international goal to level the scores, but he was a yard offside when he bundled in at the back post. AFP
Jung Woo-young - 5. Was involved in the goal that was disallowed when the ball deflected off him in the six-yard box. Was guilty of not doing his defensive duties throughout. AFP
Hwang In-beom - 7. One of Korea’s brightest players, he had a shot in the second half that, though a fierce effort, was directed straight at Costa. AFP
Lee Kang-in - 6. Harshly booked when he seemingly got the ball in a tackle on Vitinha. Looked sharp throughout. AFP
Lee Jae-sung - 5. Not his best game but got a stamp on his leg from Cancelo for his troubles. Substituted. Getty
Son Heung-min - 7. On the counter, he showed great patience to find the assist that led to Korea’s late winner. It was also from his cross following a short corner that Korea thought they’d levelled the scores, until the goal was ruled offside. He had an effort on goal himself, but it was well blocked by Costa. AP
Cho Gue-sung - 6. Worked tirelessly but found space hard to come by. AFP
SUBS: Hwang Hee-chan (Jae-sung, 66) - 8. The match hero. He timed his run to perfection and slotted the ball past Costa to secure qualification for his nation. Getty
Son Jun-ho (Kang-in, 81) - N/A. Came on as a last throw of the dice by Bento. AFP
Hwang Ui-jo (Young-gwon, 81) - N/A. Part of a double substitution as Bento looked to find the winner. AFP
PORTUGAL RATINGS: Diogo Costa - 6. Looked uncomfortable when defending crosses but dealt with most things thrown at him. Made a key save in the second half from Hwang, but could do little to stop Korea’s winner. AFP
Diogo Dalot - 7. Main contributor to the opening goal when he controlled Pepe’s long pass and got behind the Korean defence before laying it off to Horta. Came close to scoring himself when his shot from range threatened. He’s now been involved in four goals in his last three appearances for Portugal in all competitions. Was nutmegged in the build-up to the winner. AP
Pepe - 6. His long ball released Dalot on the right in the build-up to the opening goal. Assumed the captain’s armband when Ronaldo left the field. EPA
Antonio Silva - 6. The 19 year old defender became the first ever teenager to appear in a World Cup match for Portugal, and he looked increasingly confident as the game went on, though was guilty of standing off Son for the winner. AP
Joao Cancelo - 6. Tried to release Mario early on but his pass was intercepted. He then had a shot soon after which was punched clear. Made a key block to deny Son in the second half. Getty
Ruben Neves - 5. A quiet game for the Wolves man, who was replaced in the second half. Getty
Matheus Nunes - 7. Some neat play in the middle of the park throughout, he brought others into play. Swung in a wicked cross into the Korea area with Ronaldo lurking. AP
Vitinha - 6. Came close with a shot from the edge of the area following a neat move, which was well saved. Getty
Joao Mario - 5. Was taken off in the second half after a largely ineffective evening. Getty
Cristiano Ronaldo - 6. Needing just one more World Cup goal to equal Eusebio’s Portugal record of nine, he was always lurking and looked dangerous, but the record will have to wait. He forced Seung-gu into a save but was ruled offside, and later saw another shot blocked. AFP
Ricardo Horta - 6. In the early stages of the game, he scored only his second international goal to put his side ahead, converting Dalot’s cut back. Getty
SUBS: Rafael Leao (Neves, 65) – 5. His main contribution was a shot from distance which was dragged wide of the goal. AFP
Andre Silva (Ronaldo, 65) – 5. With Ronaldo finding the right areas, but ultimately not threatening, Silva was brought on to try and mix things up. AFP
Joao Palhinha (Nunes, 65) – 5. Announced his arrival with a fairly hefty challenge, and tried to press throughout. AFP
William Carvalho (Vitinha, 81) – N/A. An odd change which blunted Portugal’s attacking options, Carvalho’s contribution was passive. EPA
Bernardo Silva (Mario, 82) – N/A. Switched off and didn’t track his man for the winner. Getty
“I do not read this type of information,” Santos said. “I am focused on my team. We are focusing on training and not paying attention to any polls.
“What I have always done is focus on the immediate match. I am not worried if information is right or wrong.”
On making the final eight of the tournament, Santos added: “There has been a long hiatus … what matters is this match. Portugal always have the obligation to win.
“For us it is good to feel this pressure. We want it and we really want to win. After each game, if you win the game you are closer to being a favourite.”