Laken Litman

College Football & Soccer Analyst

DOHA, Qatar — Cristiano Ronaldo’s associate Georgina Rodríguez criticized Portugal supervisor Fernando Santos on Instagram for not beginning the 37-year-old celebrity within the World Cup quarterfinal loss to Morocco on Saturday.

Morocco shocked Portugal, 1-0, potentially ending Ronaldo’s chances at ever winning a World Cup. He will likely be 41 when the United States, Mexico and Canada host the 2026 event.

“Today your friend and coach made a bad decision,” Rodriguez wrote on her Instagram story, which was translated into English, alongside a photograph of Ronaldo. She was proven on stadium video cameras a number of occasions together with her household throughout the match. 

“That friend for whom you have so many words of admiration and respect. The same as when you got into the game, he saw how everything changed, but it was too late. You cannot underestimate the best player in the world, his most powerful weapon. You can’t stand up for someone who doesn’t deserve it either.

“Life provides us classes. Today we now have not misplaced, we now have realized.”

Emotional Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the pitch after Morocco eliminates Portugal

Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, additionally chimed in on Instagram, writing, “Waiting for the checklist of these answerable for this defeat. … “Sad for the team now lift your head and go on. God knows all things.”

Santos elected to not begin Ronaldo in Portugal’s spherical of 16 matchup towards Switzerland final week, and made the identical name once more on Saturday towards Morocco. When Ronaldo was substituted into the sport within the 51st minute, the stadium went wild. Portugal already trailed 1-0 and followers have been hopeful that their captain would have his heroic World Cup second and cause them to victory. That didn’t occur.

Cristiano Ronaldo got here THIS CLOSE to tying the sport for Portugal

The Portuguese supervisor was requested after the sport if he regretted not beginning Ronaldo.

“No,” Santos mentioned. “I don’t think so. No regrets. No regrets. I think this was a team which played very well against Switzerland. Cristiano is a great player. He came in when we thought that was necessary. So, no, I have no regrets.”

Ronaldo couldn’t conceal his feelings afterward and was wiped away tears within the tunnel as he walked to the locker room. This was his fifth World Cup, and he had hoped to make his potential final one essentially the most memorable.

Perhaps it was for various causes. Ronaldo was the focal point from the second he landed in Qatar. From the drama of leaving Manchester United and reportedly moving onto play for Saudi Arabia club Al Nassr to rumors that he threatened to leave the national team over losing his starting spot — day by day, seemingly, it was one thing new. 

Read extra from the World Cup:

Listen:

Laken Litman covers school soccer, school basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She beforehand wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the writer of “Strong Like a Woman,” printed in spring 2022 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Follow her on Twitter @LakenLitman.

Get extra from FIFA World Cup 2022 Follow your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra