Why was Cristiano Ronaldo benched in 2022 World Cup?

Despite having quite an impeccable reputation as one of the most effective strikers of the modern era, Cristiano Ronaldo was snubbed during Portugal’s 2022 World Cup campaign, a move that irked fans worldwide who understandably questioned the controversial move.

The decision to bench Ronaldo — who witnessed his national side crashing out of the mega-event in the quarter-final stage — was made by Portugal’s head coach Fernando Santos, who since then, has refrained from elaborating on his reasoning for the fateful decision.

However, finally opening up on the controversial decision to snub Ronaldo, Santos, currently the manager of Turkish team Besiktas, termed the move as a “tactical” one which wasn’t personal but in fact was aimed at ensuring a “balance with the team’s interests”, essentiallysports reported.

“We made a tactical decision and left Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench during the World Cup. I had to make this decision and I did it right. If we had not been eliminated, there would not have been much trouble. The team is important to me,” he said.

Santos also shed light on Ronaldo’s fitness and form both before and during the mega-event and stressed that the 38-year-old wasn’t at his “natural peak” and was struggling following his muddled season with Manchester United.

Furthermore, he also revealed that he hasn’t spoken to Ronaldo since the culmination of their World Cup run.