FERNANDO SANTOS is a weather-beaten veteran whose mood appears to vary only between grumpy and grumpier.
The 68-year-old Portugal boss has no time for the hoop-la that surrounds Cristiano Ronaldo or for the fading player's hissy-fits.
But those who suggested Santos dropped him from the Portugal starting line-up because Ronaldo threw a strop when substituted from the South Korea game were talking pre-game nonsense.
Santos put the 37-year-old on the bench because he wanted a more vibrant, youthful, dynamic attack against a well-organised Switzerland.
And no manager at this World Cup or that many before it, to be fair has made a more inspired call.
No manager at this World Cup - or many to follow it, to be fair will more make a inspired call.
Santos gave Goncalo Ramos, more than 16 years Ronaldo's junior, his first senior international start and the 21-year-old announced himself with a thunder-cracker three-goal performance that was reminiscent of, well, you-know-who in his absolute pomp.
This story is from the December 07, 2022 edition of Irish Daily Mirror.
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This story is from the December 07, 2022 edition of Irish Daily Mirror.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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