Will Ronaldo be benched against Switzerland in the RO 16?

Last Saturday, December 3, the Portuguese media published the conclusions of a survey, devastating for the star footballer of the country, Cristiano Ronaldo. 70% of those questioned want the five-time Ballon d'Or not to be a starter but a substitute, for the round of 16 of the 2022 WC in Qatar against Switzerland, this Wednesday at 12:30 AM IST.

Ronaldo as of now has 118 goals for the national side in 194 caps, two more matches and he will record the all-time most matches combined held by the Kuwaiti Bader-Al Mutawa.

His lower efficiency is a reality, since the start of this World Cup he has scored just one goal which came against Ghana from the penalty spot. He is coming out of a chaotic season with Man United: 27 goals in 54 matches all the same in 2021/2022, but an electric atmosphere with the coach, the Dutchman Erik ten Hag, who has often confined him to the substitutes' bench.

A story that ended explosively: breach of contract after a vitriolic interview with the player. In Qatar, Ronaldo is without a club. And within the selection, his situation and his performance below expectations are vectors of tension.

Coach Fernando Santos, who knows Ronaldo well (he has been in the job since 2014), released his star during the match in the third and final meeting of the first round, lost against South Korea. It seems that, at this moment, Ronaldo addresses Santos: "You are in a hurry to get me out!"

When asked about these alleged words at a press conference on Monday, December 5, Fernando Santos claims to have "heard nothing" at that time. "If I have already seen the images, since?" he went on to question, "Yes. Did I like it? No!"

But he remained very evasive on the status that Ronaldo will enjoy this Wednesday, at the start of the match against Switzerland: holder or substitute? Fernando Santos always decides "at the last moment" the composition of his team.