Ronaldo trains away from other Portugal substitutes after World Cup win

Cristiano Ronaldo has been training away from the other Portugal substitutes after his side's thumping 6-1 victory over Switzerland on Tuesday evening.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was dropped by manager Fernando Santos ahead of the game, with Goncalo Ramos coming into the starting XI in his absence. It was a decision that paid off, as the Benfica attacker scored a memorable hat-trick as Portugal ran riot, with Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao also finding the net.

Despite Portugal's famous win, it was Ronaldo that caught the headlines as he started on the bench for the first time in 31 tournament matches for his nation. Ronaldo came on in the 73rd minute for Ramos, with the former Manchester United man expressing his delight at his team's win after the game.

Following the match, Santos organised an on-pitch training session with the players who started on the bench against Switzerland. However, according to Marca, Ronaldo didn't feature in the session because he decided to stay in the gym with the starters from the game at Lusail Stadium, including Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot.

It is understood the 37-year-old has no discomfort and is in 'perfect condition', but still did not train with the rest of the substitutes ahead of the quarter-final clash with Morocco on Saturday. Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves and Palhinha were amongst those to go out for the on-pitch session on Wednesday.

This latest news follows Georgina Rodriguez's slight dig at Santos for dropping Ronaldo for the game against Switzerland. The 28-year-old took to Instagram to write: "Congratulations Portugal. While the 11 players sang the national anthem all the cameras were on you.

"What a shame we weren't able to enjoy the best player in the world for 90 minutes. The crowd didn't stop calling for you and shouting your name. Hopefully God and your dear friend Fernando will continue holding hands and you can make us vibrate one more night."

Will Portugal win the World Cup? Let us know in the comments below!

Meanwhile, Gary Neville provided his reaction to Ronaldo's snub, two weeks after United confirmed he would be leaving the club by mutual consent. Santos revealed earlier this week that he was unhappy at Ronaldo's reaction to being taken off against South Korea - and Neville believes the forward's "petulance" hasn't helped his cause.

Before the game, Neville said on ITV : "When it happened it United [Ronaldo being benched], it was the suggestion it was because [Erik] Ten Hag was trying to make a move on him, establish his authority.

"This is a manager [Santos] who's got an unbelievable relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo for eight years... and there are a lot of fans of Cristiano Ronaldo who aren't willing to tell him the truth. And I think he does need to listen to the truth, that it's becoming a little bit of a scruffy end.

"It wouldn't surprise me if he came on tonight and scored the winner, but the petulance, the stomping around, the sulking, it's got to stop because it doesn't reflect on him well."

Read more

Qatar World Cup 2022

Portugal smash six in Ronaldo's absence

Spain eliminated with more shootout woe

Portugal's new hero steps up

Morocco fans celebrate famous victory