Why did Cristiano Ronaldo not start for Portugal in their World Cup last-16 tie against Switzerland?

CRISTIANO RONALDO is one of the most famous players in the history of football and arguably the most famous person in the world.

He has scored eight goals in 20 World Cup matches and holds the world record for international goals scored.

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Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring for Portugal against Ghana in the group stages[/caption]

Over 20 years, his record has been simply stunning.

Therefore it was a surprise that he was not in the Portugal team for their last-16 World Cup tie against Switzerland.

However, the decision by Fernando Santos to bench Ronaldo was fully vindicated – as they went on to win 6-1, with the striker coming on with 17 minutes of normal time to go.

He had started all three of Portugal’s World Cup group games previously and will be in contention for their quarter-final against Morocco.

Why didn’t Cristiano Ronaldo start against Switzerland?

The Portuguese icon, 37, was dropped for their game against Switzerland.

Fernando Santos has opted to go with Benfica forward Goncalo Ramos, 21, instead.

Incredibly, Ramos went on to score a stunning hat-trick for Portugal.

It meant Ronaldo found himself on the bench again, a place he got all-too familiar with for Manchester United earlier this season.

That is, before he and the club mutually agreed to tear up his contract.

Perhaps Santos was hedging his bets, knowing that if the tie went to extra time and penalties, it would have been more useful having Ronaldo come off the bench and score a penalty.