Santos said Ronaldo was infuriated by South Korean forward, Cho, who wanted him to hurry off the pitch when he was substituted
By Kehinde Okeowo
Portugal boss, Fernando Santos has corrected the impression that Ronaldo took exception to his decision to take him off during their defeat against South Korea in the World Cup match played on Friday.
Having booked a place in the round of sixteen of the tournament in Qatar, Portugal gave away a 1-0 lead to suffer a 2-1 defeat to South Korea, who were desperate for the win.
Ronaldo was clearly annoyed when he was substituted in the 65th minute and there was some suggestion that the former Manchester United star was angry about being substituted at all.
But his manager, Fernando Santos has rejected the innuendo, saying he was just mad at South Korean forward, Cho Gue Sung, who wanted the 37-year-old to hurry off the pitch.
ALSO READ: Senegal Brazil,14 others jostle for World Cup Quater-Final spots
Ronaldo and Cho were caught having altercations as the former Real Madrid and Juventus star walked off the pitch and Santos said the Korean insulted his main man.
“Ronaldo came off the pitch angry, yes, but with the Korean player who was insulting him and sending him away from the pitch,” said Santos.
“He replied to him and that is perfectly normal. I heard what the Korean player said, in English, and I have no doubt about it and Ronaldo replied ‘you must be in a big hurry for me to leave. Pepe even went after the Korean player because of that.”
Despite losing their last game to South Korea, Portugal made it to the round of sixteen alongside the Asian country, while one of Africa’s representatives, Ghana and Uruguay crashed out of the competition.