The Reigns Of Fire as Luis Figo Slams Santos Over Ronaldo Decision

The rains of fire and brimstone are about to fall on Portugal coach, Fernando Santos over the decision to bench Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s quarter-final elimination at the hands of Morocco, and it is former Portugal superstar Luis Figo carrying the shots.

Luis Figo, who on his own right was a legendary player for Portugal, criticized Fernando Santos, the team’s head coach, for benching captain Cristiano Ronaldo after the team’s 2022 FIFA World Cup elimination on Saturday.

In his analysis, he states Santos cannot win the World Cup while Cristiano Ronaldo is left to sit on the bench, Luis Figo, who starred for Portugal in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup competitions stated.

Luis Figo also claimed that Fernando Santos’ decision was very much an error on his part that should be admitted.

As Morocco upset Portugal in the World Cup quarterfinal game over the weekend in Qatar, Santos once more decided to sideline Ronaldo.

All three of Portugal’s group stage games had been started by Ronaldo.

The 37-year-old was, however, replaced by Goncalo Ramos, 21, in the starting lineup for the last-four match against Switzerland.

Against Morocco, the former Manchester United forward was once more benched.

Just six minutes into the second half, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner entered the game, but Morocco had already taken the lead thanks to a goal by Youssef En-Nessyri in the 42nd minute, so the score remained 1-0.

“You can’t win the World Cup with Cristiano on the bench. Leaving Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench was a mistake. This defeat is the responsibility of Fernando Santos,” Figo said.

There is certainly no victory for managers when it comes to their decisions sometimes, and most times, managers find themselves at the mercy of pundits for taking decisions they believe could give their team a tactical advantage.