Portugal boss Fernando Santos explains his decision to drop Ronaldo vs Spain

Fernando Santos chose to bench Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal's Nations League match against Spain. The game ended in a 1-1 draw and Ronaldo came on in the 62nd minute.

This is the first time Ronaldo has been on the bench for Portugal since 2017. Santos explained his decision his press conference.

"It was just one option-a manager's option, a tactical option.

"This is how these our games are going to be decided. For this game, I thought it was important to have a player like Andre [Silva] starting. He is hard-working, closes in behind, he can do a few things that Cristiano cannot do the same way."

"Cristiano can do many other things and that is why he is the best player in the world but this was my choice this time. I am going to rotate the players a lot during the next three games."

Cristiano didn't se
em dampened by the result of the game, saying: "The League of Nations is a competition that will forever be linked to the National Team, the first to win this trophy.

"Our start in this edition, with an important draw in Spain, renews our ambition. The same as always, the same that moves us and unites us at all times: winning for Portugal."