Georgina Rodriguez rips Portugal coach for Cristiano Ronaldo bench
Cristiano Ronaldo’s longtime partner scolded the Portugal coach on Saturday for his decision to send the soccer star to the bench 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 Ronaldo, 37, since 2016 – called out Fernando Santos in a critical message as Portugal lost 1-0 to Morocco in the quarter-finals Saturday at Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar.
“Today your friend and coach decided badly. This 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 bringing 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 continues.
“You also can’t defend someone who doesn’t deserve it. Life teaches us lessons. Today we didn’t lose, we learned,” the message concludes.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (right) in action against Morocco’s Jawad El Yamiq (left) during the World Cup on December 10, 2022.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (left) reacts as he receives a clap from Portugal head coach Fernando Santos after their FIFA World Cup quarter-final loss to Morocco on December 10, 2022.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the pitch at the end of the World Cup quarter-final soccer match between Morocco and Portugal on December 10, 2022.
Although Ronaldo returned to the pitch in the second half of Saturday’s game, the forward didn’t make a serious impact against Morocco. As the match ended, cameras followed an emotional Ronaldo through the tunnel as the former Manchester United star held back tears.
The 2022 World Cup has long been speculated to be Ronaldo’s last as he turns 41 in 2026.
As for Ronaldo’s immediate future after the World Cup, he has been linked with Saudi club Al Nassr following his tumultuous split from Manchester United in November.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, has been openly critical of Santos, whom she slammed on social media earlier this week for benching Ronaldo in Tuesday’s 6-1 win over Switzerland in the round of 16. which Ronaldo’s replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a hat trick.
New York Post
