Portugal 'play more as a team' without Cristiano Ronaldo claims international team-mate Jose Fonte... as he insists they 'played fluidly without a focal point' against Switzerland and that Goncalo Ramos should keep his starting place

Portugal 'play more as a team' without Cristiano Ronaldo according to international teammate Jose Fonte.

The former Manchester United star was left on the bench during Portugal's 6-1 victory over Switzerland in the last-16 of the World Cup.

Fonte, 38, last played for Portugal in a World Cup play-off against Turkey in March and was included in their preliminary squad for Qatar, though he did not make the final cut.

Portugal 'play more as a team' without Cristiano Ronaldo according to Jose Fonte

Portugal 'play more as a team' without Cristiano Ronaldo according to Jose Fonte

Fonte (right) was included in Portugal's preliminary squad for Qatar but failed to make the cut

Fonte (right) was included in Portugal's preliminary squad for Qatar but failed to make the cut

As reported by Portuguese publication A Bola, Fonte said in a podcast: 'Portugal have the quality to do this in every game, but we have to be honest - just his presence on the field makes the players of the national team unconsciously and automatically have to play for him and always give him the ball.


'For being who he is, for what he has done and what he is still capable of doing.' 

'When he is not there, Portugal plays more as a team and that was seen (against Switzerland).

'They played fluidly, without a single focal point, everyone contributed and it was beautiful to see.'

Ronaldo lost his place in the line-up in the aftermath of his angry reaction to being substituted in their 2-1 defeat to South Korea in the group stage.

Fonte says Goncalo Ramos should keep his place after his hat-trick against Switzerland

Fonte says Goncalo Ramos should keep his place after his hat-trick against Switzerland

His replacement for the game against Switzerland, Goncalo Ramos, netted a stunning hat-trick to stake his claim to start in the rest of the tournament.

Ramos said: 'We had success with Cristiano Ronaldo over these years, he was very influential. Goncalo Ramos offers a different game proposal and had a perfect night, we were all happy for him. I hope it stays that way.'

Fonte added that the Benfica striker won't lose his place in the squad, questioning: 'How if the boy scored three goals?'

He added Ronaldo could make a positive contribution off the bench during the tournament.

He said: 'You cannot teach a legend like Ronaldo. Ronaldo will always be Ronaldo and for Portugal it is even very positive to have a player like him come off the bench - it will be one more problem to cause the opponents. 

'Fernando Santos brought a very strong mentality to the national team. The team has a great ability to defend together. And it will cause offensive problems in every game. 

Fonte says Ronaldo could come off the bench to cause problems for opponents in Qatar

Fonte says Ronaldo could come off the bench to cause problems for opponents in Qatar

'I believe that Portugal will go to the end of the journey, the World Cup is the title we are missing. Let's keep our fingers crossed for that to happen.'

Portugal boss Santos has a big call to make over whether Ronaldo starts in their quarter-final with Morocco on Saturday. 

Reports in Portugal stated that after being told he would not start in the game, Ronaldo had a sit-down with Santos and made it clear he was unhappy with his decision not to play him - threatening to pack his bags and leave Qatar during a 'tense' conversation, the report claims.

Portugal later hit out at the rumours, saying Ronaldo 'builds up a unique track record every day at the service of the national team and the country, which must be respected and which attests to the unquestionable degree of commitment to the national team.' 

The vast majority of Portugal fans do not want Ronaldo to return to Santos' starting line-up against Morocco, based on a survey carried out by the Portuguese media.

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