Portugal coach, Fernando Santos says Cristiano Ronaldo cannot wait to get back to action after testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.
He said this at the team’s pre-match conference ahead of this evening’s UEFA Nations League clash against Sweden, for which the 35-year-old has been dropped.
“He just says that he wants to play,” Santos said about his captain.
“Any player who is absent due to COVID-19 is a big loss, and Ronaldo’s absence is probably even greater (than anyone else’s). But I have absolute confidence in those players who are going to play.”
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Stressing that Ronaldo’s absence would be felt, Santos restated his belief in the rest of the squad.
“The plan is the same,” Santos added. “But the dynamics are different. Cristiano has his own characteristics.
“No team is better without the best player in the world. But this team has already shown that they have the ability to respond as a collective. I have full confidence in my players.”
Ronaldo could only watch from the balcony as his teammates trained on Tuesday.
He has been isolating in his room since the positive result was released.
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