Cristiano Ronaldo recently commented on being substituted in the Portugal national team's 2026 World Cup qualification match against Hungary (a 2:2 draw). Journalist Piers Morgan asked him: “You were substituted in the 77th minute after scoring a brace.
The opponent equalized in the final minutes. I can imagine how you felt at that moment.
If I were the coach, if Cristiano Ronaldo had scored two goals, I wouldn’t have substituted him. You would have done everything to score a third goal and win the game.
How did you feel after that substitution?” Ronaldo replied: “I understand you, but I also have to consider the coach’s position. Maybe he wanted to preserve the result and strengthen our defense by bringing on another player.
I understand that, and I have to respect the coach’s decision – after all, we all think differently. If I had stayed on the field, of course I would have tried to score a third goal.
But sometimes being substituted is also normal, even if you have scored two goals. It's not an issue for me anymore.
I’ve scored so many hat-tricks that it really doesn’t matter if I have one more or one less.” Read “Zamin” on Telegram!
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