Ronaldo was a substitute for his country's 6-1 destruction of Switzerland in the World Cup's last-16, coming off the bench in a major tournament for the first time since 2004.
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Portugal boss Santos made the bombshell decision to leave the team captain out of his line-up, and was richly rewarded as his replacement, Goncalo Ramos ran riot.
The 21-year-old Benfica striker bagged a hat-trick in his first ever start for the senior side, while Ronaldo joined the fray as 73rd minute substitute, but failed to impact on the game.
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The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus superstar was clearly shocked as his omission as the world's photographers gathered at the dugout, and his sister was just as surprised.
Posting an image of the team on Instagram Elma Aveiro wrote: "Today we are all together, if you think it has to be like this I am here to see it.
After one follower replied saying she 'couldn't believe' Ronaldo has been dropped and called it a 'major injustice' Elma posted another message.
"I don't know why and I don't understand it, but I'm sure we'll have the answers from God later, he doesn't fail, let's see," she wrote.
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However, as it appeared Ronaldo wasn't injured and was left on the bench, Elma again posted another Instagram story after the win, first congratulating her country.
She then continued: "Yes Ronaldo is not eternal, yes Ronaldo won't play forever, unfortunately he doesn't score goals now, he's old, Portugal doesn't need Ronaldo [clapping emojis].
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"We talked about what we heard, all that he did isn't important, all that he did was forgotten.
"Now they ask for forgiveness and they don't need him. I will register that and later we'll talk.
"Rui Santos, what will he apologise for? Now we we can f*** who we want.
"It is a shame to humiliate a man who has given so much, but later I will see a lot more."
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