Who is Goncalo Ramos?
Ramos, who was born in Olhao, Portugal, is a forward for Benfica in Portugal’s top league, the Primeira Liga. He has scored nine goals in eleven games and is the league leader. Twenty of Benfica’s 45 goals have come from his shots on goal. Ramos came up through the Benfica youth system.
Ramos had never represented Portugal on the international stage before his selection to the team for the FIFA World Cup in November. The sole reason he was included in the team was that Liverpool attacker Diogo Jota was injured. Before the World Cup, he made his debut for his country last month in a friendly match against Nigeria.
Ramos wore jersey number 26 in the 26-man team and saw limited action as a substitute in Portugal’s triumphs over Ghana and Uruguay in Group Stage play. In those contests, he attempted 0 shots on goal.
Ramos, who was awarded player of the match as Portugal annihilated Switzerland, remarked, “Not even in my wildest thoughts did I believe that I would be part of the starting team for the knockout stage.”
Why Was Ronaldo Benched?
After the game, Portugal’s coach Fernando Santos remarked that the decision to sideline Ronaldo for the decisive round of 16 matches against Switzerland was “strategic and nothing more.”
Even though Ronaldo has only scored once in Qatar, his heated responses after being taken off in the last group game against South Korea cannot be overlooked. After being taken out of the game by Santos, Ronaldo was observed giving off angry vibes.
Santos was asked about Ronaldo’s reaction to his substitution before the Switzerland game. I didn’t like it at all,” he proclaimed. It wasn’t to my taste at all. After the game against Switzerland, Santos commended Ronaldo, saying that the player’s choice was made with the team’s best interests in mind.
I told you it was closed, and it is. We have to just think about this team as a whol since Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the world’s top players and a leader,” he remarked. Ronaldo entered the game in the 73rd minute, replacing Joao Felix. He played for a few minutes until being taken off.
Is He a Regular Starter For Portugal?
Ramos only played 10 total minutes in two games during the group stage, making this his fourth appearance for the national team overall. On November 17, he made his debut in a friendly before the World Cup against Nigeria.
He entered the game in the 67th minute as a substitute and 15 minutes later scored the fourth goal, leading his team to a 4-0 victory.
Why Was his Call-Up To the Starting XI Controversial?
Portugal coach Fernando Santos took a risk by starting Ramos, 21, over Ronaldo. Ramos has the talent to be successful, but it was a gamble. In just 17 minutes, Ramos repaid Santos’ trust by scoring the game-winning goal in a round of 16 World Cup matches, a feat Ronaldo had never before accomplished.
Joao Felix lightly clipped Ramos in the feet, and the latter immediatelyswiveledd past Fabian Schaer and Yann Sommer, firing a shot into the net’s upper corner. Exactly six minutes into the second half, from a cross from Diogo Dalot on the right, Ramos scored his second goal from close range.
Assisted by Felix’s brilliant play up front, he finished up his hat trick with a casual dink over Switzerland’s goalie Sommer with one of his final touches before making way for Ronaldo.
What Did he Say?
He couldn’t believe it when Ramos got the call to play instead of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo. “I never in a million years imagined that I would be starting my first World Cup game in a knockout round and score three goals,” he added.
“However, we must take everything one game at a time and be ready for our upcoming quarterfinal match against Morocco. No longer is this outcome relevant. When we play again, we’re going to give it our best.”
Why was Ronaldo Dropped?
Ronaldo, who is now 37 years old and without a club after being released by Manchester United, has been the tournament’scentere of attention despite clearly not being at his peak form.
Ronaldo, the only player to score in five World Cups, was benched for Santos’ match against Switzerland after he reacted angrily after being taken out of the game during the team’s 2-1 loss to South Korea in their final group stage match. Substituting the Portugal star against South Korea was “strategic and nothing more,” Santos stated afterward.
What’s Next For Ronaldo?
Ronaldo’s introduction against Switzerland prompted the greatest shout at the Lusail Stadium, with fans chanting his name from the start of the second half. The referee determined that Ronaldo was offside when the ball appeared to have crossed the goal line.
Santos told reporters after the game that the superstar striker’s role for the rest of the World Cup is something that has to be “defined,” but that he “will surely” be part of against Morocco. Despite being instrumental in the 2016 European Championship victory, Ronaldo and Portugal have never won the World Cup.
Al Nassr, a Saudi Arabian club, reportedly offered Ronaldo, formerly of Real Madrid and Juventus, a tantalising £200 million per year contract, which has sparked speculation about the player’s future in professional football.
Ronaldo has equaled Bader Al Mutawa’s Fifa-recognized record of 196 international appearances and set a new world record with 118 goals scored for Portugal.
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