Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend, Georgina Rodríguez, shared her frustration on social media after the star forward was benched in Portugal’s 6-1 win against Switzerland on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old model took to Instagram to share photos of herself in a private suite at Lusail Stadium, writing in her caption “what a shame” it is that fans were unable to enjoy Ronaldo’s talent in the World Cup match.
“Congratulations Portugal 🇵🇹♥️💚,” Rodríguez wrote. “While the 11 players sang the hymn all the goals placed on you. What a shame not to have been able to enjoy the best player in the world during the 90 minutes. The fans have not stopped claiming you and shouting your name.”
Rodríguez then mentioned Portugal coach Fernando Santos, adding: “I hope that God and your dear friend Fernando continue hand in hand and make us vibrate one more night ⭐️.”
Tuesday’s match was the first time Ronaldo has failed to start a Portugal contest at a tournament since 2008.
Although Ronaldo began Tuesday’s victory over Switzerland on the bench, the 37-year-old played 17 minutes, going scoreless. His replacement, 21-year-old Gonçalo Ramos, scored a hat trick in the knockout-round match.
After the match, Santos said Ronaldo’s future with the team is “something which has to be defined.”
“I have a very close relationship with him, I always have,” Santos said. “I’ve known him since he was 19 at Sporting and then he started to develop in the national squad when I arrived in 2014. Ronaldo and I never misinterpret the human and personal aspect with that of manager and player. I will always consider that he is a very important player to have in the team.
“This [disciplinary matter] is something that is finished and solved, it is also important to look at the example of this player’s history. He is one of the best players in the world and therefore all we have to do is come [together] collectively.”
Santos benched Ronaldo following the superstar’s reaction after being taken off the pitch in Portugal’s final group match, a 2-1 loss to South Korea. Cameras captured the forward looking visibly frustrated when he was replaced in the 65th minute.
At the time, Santos said he didn’t like what he saw in footage.
When asked to explain Ronaldo being out of the starting lineup, Santos said: “Andre [Silva] who is a great player who plays more advanced, Cristiano is more fixed, he stays in a more determined area towards the box. Goncalo has different characteristics. He is very dynamic and the observations I made and that is what he ended up showing us.
“It is nothing new, he already came on in two matches, but I would say as Andre also played in a previous match, I have three players I fully trust. For each match I will use which player I see for my strategy. All the players on the bench can be used [against Morocco [even] if they are not in the starting XI.”
Portugal will take on Morocco in the quarter-finals on Saturday.