Gary Neville reacts to Cristiano Ronaldo being dropped by Portugal

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Cristiano Ronaldo has been dropped for Portugal’s World Cup last 16 fixture against Switzerland.

Former Manchester United star Gary Neville believes it is now time for Ronaldo to ‘listen’ and accept his current situation.

Ronaldo was famously unhappy with Erik ten Hag’s decision to drop him at Manchester United.

He ended up forcing his exit, conducting an ill-conceived interview with Piers Morgan, which led to a termination of his contract.

Now his Portugal manager has come to the same conclusion as his club manager did, that Ronaldo is better off on the bench.

Cristiano Ronaldo being dropped by Portugal

Ronaldo’s former United teammate Gary Neville, gave his response to the news, to ITV’s live coverage.

Neville said: “He (Ronaldo) he needs to listen to the truth.

“The petulance, stomping around, sulking, it doesn’t help him at all.

“He’s got to do a lot better. Is the Juventus manager wrong? Is the Manchester United manager wrong? Is the Portugal manager now wrong?

“There’s three of them that have now done the same thing with him.”

Neville also added that it would not surprise him if Ronaldo came off the bench to score, but added: “He’s not accepting the end of his career very well.”

Ronaldo is currently a free agent after his United exit. Spanish newspaper Marca report he could sign with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.

He has not had a good World Cup so far. His one goal came from a penalty he appeared to dive for against Ghana, and then he claimed a goal which wasn’t his against Uruguay, credited to Bruno Fernandes instead.

Ronaldo then played a part in South Korea’s goal against Portugal in the final group game, and reacted unhappily to being substituted.

Manager Fernando Santos told The Guardian yesterday he was unhappy with his reaction.

A poll in the Portuguese press saw 70 per cent of respondents say they would prefer Ronaldo be dropped. Now they have got their wish, for better or worse.

Ronaldo’s place in the starting XI is taken by in-form Benfica forward Goncalo Ramos.