World Cup

Luis Figo hits out at Fernando Santos over Portugal's World Cup exit

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 12 December 2022

Figo hits out at Santos over Portugal's World Cup exit

Luis Figo slams Portugal boss Fernando Santos for his decision to start Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for the World Cup quarter-final with Morocco.

Luis Figo has criticised Portugal boss Fernando Santos for his decision to start Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final with Morocco.

Ronaldo was left out of the XI against Switzerland in the round of 16, and his replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scored three times during a 6-1 victory.

Santos again decided to name the experienced forward among the substitutes against Morocco, before eventually introducing the 37-year-old early in the second period.

A Selecao were knocked out courtesy of a 1-0 defeat, with Youssef En-Nesyri's first-half goal proving to be the difference between the two sides.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during the warm up before the match on December 6, 2022 © Reuters

Figo has said that it was "a mistake" to leave Ronaldo out of the side in the quarter-final contest, with the legendary attacker blaming Santos for the country's exit.

"You can't win a World Cup with Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench. Win against Switzerland? Excellent! But can you do that in every game? No," AS quoted Figo as saying after the match.

"Leaving Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench was a mistake, this defeat is the responsibility of the management and the manager."

Ronaldo found the back of the net in Portugal's tournament opener against Ghana, which saw him become the first men's player to score in five World Cups.

However, he drew blanks against Uruguay, South Korea, Switzerland and Morocco, and the forward has now hinted that he could be about to retire from international football.

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo in action against Ghana at the World Cup on November 24, 2022 © Reuters

"Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career. Fortunately I won many titles of international dimension, including Portugal, but putting our country's name on the highest foot in the World was my biggest dream," Ronaldo wrote on Instagram.

"I fought for it. I fought hard for this dream. In the 5 appearances I scored in World Cups over 16 years, always by the side of great players and supported by millions of Portuguese, I gave my all. Leave it all out on the field. I never turned my face to the fight and I never gave up on that dream.

"Sadly yesterday the dream ended It's not worth reacting to heat. I just want you all to know that much has been said, much has been written, much has been speculated, but my dedication to Portugal hasn't changed for a moment.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva pictured after Portugal are awarded a penalty on November 24, 2022 © Reuters

"I was always one fighting for the objective of all and I would never turn my back on my colleagues and my country.

"For now, there's not much more to say. Thank you, Portugal. Thank you, Qatar. The dream was beautiful while it lasted... Now, it's time to be a good advisor and allow each one to draw their own conclusions."

Ronaldo has scored 118 goals in 196 appearances for Portugal since making his debut in 2003.

Figo, meanwhile, made 127 appearances for the European country during his professional career, finding the back of the net on 32 occasions, making him A Selecao's fourth-highest goalscorer behind Ronaldo, Pauleta and Eusebio.