Portugal boss Fernando Santos has said that Cristiano Ronaldo remains "an important player" for the national side despite being dropped against Switzerland on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old was named on the bench for his side's last-16 contest at the 2022 World Cup, and his replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scored three times during the 6-1 victory over Switzerland.

Ronaldo became the first men's player to score at five World Cups when he found the back of the net in his team's 3-2 victory over Ghana on November 24.

However, the forward drew blanks against Uruguay and South Korea, and he was only a late substitute against Switzerland, featuring in the 73rd minute of the contest.

Ronaldo is now unlikely to start Portugal's quarter-final with Morocco, and Santos has said that the striker's role for the remainder of the tournament "has to be defined".

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"That is still something that has to be defined. I have a very close relationship with him - I always have, I have known him since he was 19 years old," Santos told reporters.

"This relationship only develops, Ronaldo and I never interpret the human aspect of that of manager and player (in relation to) what we have to do during the match.

"I will always consider in my role that he is an important player to have in the team.

"Ronaldo will definitely (be involved against Morocco), all the players on the bench can be used, if they are not in the starting line-up they can play later.

"It is important to look at the example of this player's history, he is one of the best players in the world at playing professionally, being captain - all we have to do is think about this team collectively."

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Ramos also said that Ronaldo was the team's "leader" when questioned on the former Manchester United attacker after the last-16 clash.

"Cristiano Ronaldo talks to me and everyone in the team. He's our leader and always tries to help. I don't know if I will start the next game, that's up to the coach, I have to work as hard as I can and then we'll see," he said.

Santos was critical of Ronaldo's reaction to being substituted against South Korea in the team's last group match, with the striker struggling to make his mark during the 2-1 loss.

The Portuguese will be looking for a new club after the World Cup, having had his contract at Man United terminated due to his recent interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV.

Written by
Matt Law