The Portuguese Football Association has denied reports that the national team captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has threatened to withdraw from the World Cup.
Record claims that after learning he wouldn’t be playing against Switzerland in the round of 16, Ronaldo informed head coach Fernando Santos that he might fly out of Qatar.
The 37-year-old is said to have calmed down eventually, realising his departure could negatively impact the team.
But the Portugal Football Federation, in a statement, debunked these claims.
According to the statement: “News released this Thursday reports that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to leave the national team during a conversation with Fernando Santos, national coach.
“The FPF clarifies that at no time did the captain of the national team, Cristiano Ronaldo, threaten to leave the national team during the internship in Qatar.”