Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister says her brother was ‘humiliated’ after he started on the bench for Portugal’s World Cup last-16 game against Switzerland on Tuesday.
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Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos started ahead of Ronaldo in front and the 21-year-old scored a hat-trick as Portugal beat Switzerland 6-1 with an outstanding display.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, came off the bench in the second half and he is now uncertain of his place as a starter for Portugal’s World Cup quarter final against Morocco on Sunday.
The 37-year-old chose not to celebrate with his teammates after the win as he headed straight for the tunnel once he applauded Portugal’s fans behind the goal.
When the decision to drop Ronaldo for the Switzerland clash was announced, his sister Elma Aveiro wrote on Instagram: ‘I don’t know why and I don’t understand it, but I’m sure we’ll have the answers from God later, he doesn’t fail, let’s see.’
Aveiro then started her next post with sarcasm after Portugal’s win and took aim at Rui Santos, a pundit working for Portuguese sports network CNN: ‘Yes, Ronaldo is not eternal, yes, Ronaldo won’t play forever, unfortunately he doesn’t score goals now, he’s old, Portugal doesn’t need Ronaldo.
‘We talked about what we heard, all that he did isn’t important, all that he did was forgotten. ‘Now they ask for forgiveness and they don’t need him. I will remember that and we’ll talk later.
‘It is a shame to humiliate a man who has given so much, but later I will see a lot more.’
Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s partner, Georgina Rodriguez, wrote on Instagram after the match: ‘While the 11 players sang the anthem, all eyes were on you.
‘What a shame not to have been able to enjoy the best player in the world during the 90 minutes. The fans did not stop asking for you and shouting your name.’
