According to British journalist Piers Morgan, the conflict between Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal's manager Fernando Santos arose from a broken agreement over playing time, rather than Ronaldo demanding a guaranteed starting position.

Morgan stated that Santos agreed to give Ronaldo playing time in the first two matches and guaranteed he would play all ninety minutes in the first game. Based on this agreement, Ronaldo decided to continue his international career, but Santos substituted him in the 67th minute of the match against Wales, breaking their previous arrangement.

Morgan reported that after the match, Santos apologized to Ronaldo and the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, promising to explain the situation. Subsequently, the arrangements regarding Ronaldo's participation in upcoming matches changed again.

According to Morgan, Santos later offered Ronaldo thirty minutes against Norway. Ronaldo accepted the offer and warmed up for approximately twenty-five minutes, but ultimately did not enter the game. Morgan stated that Ronaldo saw this as disrespectful and a broken promise.

Morgan said that Ronaldo "did not demand to be an absolute starter or play ninety minutes in every match." What mattered to him was whether Santos honored their previous agreement.

Morgan also stated that Ronaldo, believing the agreement had not been fulfilled, asked Santos to leave, and then left himself. Morgan added that Santos's subsequent statements at the press conference did not align with the private agreement reached between them.

Morgan continued to criticize Santos's actions, suggesting that Santos sacrificed Ronaldo to assert his authority. Morgan stated that Ronaldo believed his experience and achievements with Portugal's national team gave him special status in the squad.

Referencing last year's UEFA Nations League final, Morgan rhetorically asked: "Who scored in the final? It was Cristiano Ronaldo." Morgan stated that he does not wish to diminish Ronaldo's importance and disagrees with the view that Portugal's team would be stronger without him.

Morgan concluded his remarks by mentioning Lionel Messi's anticipated farewell to Argentina's national team, believing that Ronaldo also deserves a proper farewell at the end of his international career with Portugal. He stated that the dispute with Santos should not overshadow the farewell that the Portuguese captain deserves.

Переведено ИИ.

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