Fernando Santos still regrets having put Cristiano in that 2003 match against United when he was a Sporting coach.
Fernando Santos and Cristiano Ronaldo can make history this Sunday with the achievement of the first League of Nations if they win in the final to the Netherlands. It would be the second major tournament in Portugal in three years after leaving the European Championship 2016.
The partnership between player and coach was founded long ago. Specifically in 2003, when Fernando Santos became the coach of a talented and physical young man named Cristiano Ronaldo at Sporting de Portugal.
Fernando Santos had been in the Lisbon bench for a few weeks and 'committed' one of the errors of his career when he put on the field a Cristiano Ronaldo with only 18 years in a friendly against Manchester United on the occasion of the inauguration of José Alvalade. The English did not waste time and tied the 'other' Ronaldo (as some called him then).
17 million euros for the coffers of Sporting and a regret that still torments today the coach of Portugal who hours before the transcendental meeting recognizes that he should not have gotten on the field. "I'll say it again, I was surprised when I saw this player at 19 years old. I should not give him minutes against Manchester United, I was left without him for having let him play ... ", he acknowledged.
In those minutes, Cristiano gave a soccer exhibition with two assists. "It was that day when we realized the quality he had," added Santos.
The Portuguese coach believes that the physical condition of the Juventus footballer will allow him to be seen in the stadiums for another four years. "I think it's going to take another three or four years. He has certain and strong objectives that lead him to always have a good physical condition and with very high degrees of intensity. It is not very common to see a player scoring 50 goals with 34 years and that is why I think it will continue for a while longer, "he said.
Fernando Santos and Cristiano Ronaldo can make history this Sunday with the achievement of the first League of Nations if they win in the final to the Netherlands. It would be the second major tournament in Portugal in three years after leaving the European Championship 2016.
The partnership between player and coach was founded long ago. Specifically in 2003, when Fernando Santos became the coach of a talented and physical young man named Cristiano Ronaldo at Sporting de Portugal.
Fernando Santos had been in the Lisbon bench for a few weeks and 'committed' one of the errors of his career when he put on the field a Cristiano Ronaldo with only 18 years in a friendly against Manchester United on the occasion of the inauguration of José Alvalade. The English did not waste time and tied the 'other' Ronaldo (as some called him then).
17 million euros for the coffers of Sporting and a regret that still torments today the coach of Portugal who hours before the transcendental meeting recognizes that he should not have gotten on the field. "I'll say it again, I was surprised when I saw this player at 19 years old. I should not give him minutes against Manchester United, I was left without him for having let him play ... ", he acknowledged.
In those minutes, Cristiano gave a soccer exhibition with two assists. "It was that day when we realized the quality he had," added Santos.
The Portuguese coach believes that the physical condition of the Juventus footballer will allow him to be seen in the stadiums for another four years. "I think it's going to take another three or four years. He has certain and strong objectives that lead him to always have a good physical condition and with very high degrees of intensity. It is not very common to see a player scoring 50 goals with 34 years and that is why I think it will continue for a while longer, "he said.
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