Cristiano Ronaldo’s longtime partner chided Portugal’s coach over his decision to start the soccer star on the bench again in the country’s stunning loss to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup.
Taking to her Instagram Stories, Georgina Rodriguez — who has been linked to the 37-year-old Ronaldo since 2016 — called out Fernando Santos in a critical post as Portugal fell to Morocco, 1-0, in the quarterfinal at Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar.
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“Today your friend and coach decided wrong. That friend for whom you have so many words of admiration and respect,” Rodriguez, 28, wrote alongside a snap of Ronaldo, according to the Daily Mail.
“The same one who, by getting you into the game, saw how everything changed, but it was too late. You cannot underestimate the best player in the world, his most powerful weapon,” the message continued.
“Nor can you stick up for someone who doesn’t deserve it. Life teaches us lessons. Today we have not lost, we have learned,” the post concluded.
Although Ronaldo returned to the pitch in the second half of Saturday’s match, the forward did not make a serious impact against Morocco. As the game came to a close, cameras followed an emotional Ronaldo into the tunnel as the former Manchester United star fought back tears.
The 2022 World Cup has long been speculated to be Ronaldo’s last as he will be 41 years old in 2026.
Regarding Ronaldo’s immediate future post-World Cup, he has been linked to the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr following his tumultuous split from Manchester United in November.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, has been openly critical of Santos, whom she blasted on social media earlier this week for benching Ronaldo in Tuesday’s 6-1 win over Switzerland in the Round of 16, in which Ronaldo’s replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scored a hat trick.
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Regarding Ronaldo’s immediate future post-World Cup, he has been linked to the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr following his tumultuous split from Manchester United in November.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, has been openly critical of Santos, whom she blasted on social media earlier this week for benching Ronaldo in Tuesday’s 6-1 win over Switzerland in the Round of 16, in which Ronaldo’s replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scored a hat trick.
This article first appeared on The New York Postand was reproduced with permission.
