Santos relates his relationship with Ronaldo: We haven't spoken since Qatar.

Eleven months after leaving Portugal's coach post after the World Cup “Catar 2022”, Fernando Santos speaks of the World Elections, more specifically about letting the captain out of his title formation in matches with Switzerland and Morocco. Something he would do again.

In an interview for Portuguese media, the coach reports that he understands the injury of CR7, shows he hasn't spoken to him since, and is open to relaunching a very strong “relationship”.

How long have you not talked to Cristiano Ronaldo?

That's another thing... We don't talk anymore... I don't know what day it was... We haven't spoken since we got back from Qatar.

Haven't you spoken the day before the match against Switzerland?

No, this isn't about the Swiss fight. I had a very strong relationship with Cristiano. We met at Sporting when he was 19, and this relationship was strengthened from the moment we met at “Seleço”.

We always went so well. The expression is a little strong, but almost like father and son, or younger brother and older brother. We had a very close, very strong, professional and personal relationship.

I made a decision that was strategic in Qatar. You gotta understand that. I just said he's the best in the world. And it is. But there has been a moment in his career that has been very difficult.

In the second half of 2022 he spent six bad months. Spiritual too. And the disaster took hold of his family. That moment really affected him, and then it's the sports part. Cristiano was not prepared in the pre-sezonal period.

He spent two months without training. Cristian then returned to Manchester United, but practically didn't. If you ask me if Cristiano physically and individually was at the ball, I'll tell you he was. Nobody takes better care of his body and performance, like him...

If we were to run tests, individually, he'd be in charge. We have no doubt about that. You know, there were a lot of people who thought he shouldn't play and criticized me for that, but I know him better than anyone. However, as for the pace of the game, it was his worst moment. He had no rhythm.

We tried, during those matches before the World Cup, and then at the first matches of the World Cup itself, to put it into the rhythm of the game, which was missing. For the rest, he lacked nothing. If he had a sponsor with a colleague, or had a test of endurance, maybe he would have won. It's not about that, it was a strategic issue.

If you were in the same situation today?

I would make the same decision! It was a strategic decision. First I have to think about the team. I thought strategically it was the best decision. My technical staff, as you will understand, discussed this issue, was not an easy decision. Even on personal matters, friendships, and so forth, having a heavy load. It doesn't mean Cristiano wouldn't play because he'd come in and play from the top to the next game.

But the game went so well, so well with Switzerland, there was no point in the next fight. Cristiano would be in the game if necessary and selected the match. My trust in him was the same. Everyone there thought we'd be world champions, you know? My conviction and the players were the same as in 2016. But that's it, it didn't happen. If we had defeated Morocco, against the next opponent (Franca) maybe Cristiano would have been in the starting formation.

I think one day we'll meet, we'll look at each other and we'll think: “we've always had this relationship”. I have no regrets for me. I understand he was hurt at the time and I understand that maybe he's still hurt. My relationship with Cristiano hasn't changed at all. I hope things change one day. If not, be patient. I'm sad, but...