In the end, Portugal did not lose, but drew 1-1 despite falling behind. Spain missed many opportunities and did not win the match. However, if Portugal had lost, there would probably have been a lot more discussion about it. Portugal played their first match in this year's Nations League against Spain the day before yesterday without Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting eleven!
If that was surprising, the explanation given by Portugal coach Fernando Santos for such a decision will be even more surprising. Santos felt that Andre Silva, who was replaced as a striker in the starting XI, could do something that Ronaldo could not do so well!
Ronaldo may be 37 years old, but Ronaldo fans are unlikely to take such comments from his own coach about a man who has dominated world football for the past decade and has transcended the ages to become one of the best players of all time.
