Cristiano Ronaldo has denied claims he swore at Portugal coach Fernando Santos when being substituted in the World Cup clash against South Korea.
The 37-year-old looked unhappy after being brought off in the 65th minute of their final group game.
Ronaldo did not score in the game, which they went on to lose 2-1 but still qualified top of Group H.
Portuguese media claimed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had disagreed with Santos’ decision to take him off, using vulgar language in the process.
However, those comments were in fact aimed at one of his opponents.
“What happened was before my substitution, the South Korea player told me to get off quickly. I told him to shut up as he doesn’t have that authority. There was no disagreement (with the coach),” Ronaldo was quoted as saying by Portuguese media, reported by Reuters.
Santos was also asked about the incident and said: “I saw the interaction with Korean player and I have no doubts about what happened.”
South Korea’s shock later winner sent them through to the last-16 at the expense of Uruguay, even though they had beaten Ghana 2-0.
Ronaldo earlier this season refused to come on for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag in a game against Tottenham.
He then walked down the tunnel and subsequently dropped from the first team squad.
The forward then gave a bombshell interview to Piers Morgan where he hit out at Ten Hag and United’s owners.
It was announced last month that he had agreed to terminate his contract at Old Trafford and is currently a free agent.
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