Fernando Santos regrets playing Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portuguese National Team's coach regrets playing Cristiano Ronaldo in a friendly match in 2003.

Sporting's former coach Fernando Santos says he lost Cristiano Ronaldo because he played against Manchester United.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who decided to leave Juventus and returned to his former team Manchester United, made his debut with the Red Devils against Newcastle United.

The Portuguese star, who scored in his first match at Old Trafford in 2003, did not miss this special match and scored two goals.

Speaking on Isto É Gozar com Quem Trabalhar, Portugal National Team coach Fernando Santos discussed Cristiano Ronaldo's performance against Newcastle United and went back 18 years:

“I told Reinaldo and the others to pass the ball to Ronaldo. I had the misfortune of playing him against Manchester United and lost him.

After all, he's been successful, and it's normal for his new teammates to want to send the ball to him."

The former technical boss of Sporting describes the Portuguese star's determination with these words:

“When Ronaldo was at Sporting, I called him one day and said he was having a problem with the airballs.

When I went to practice the next day, he was there with four or five players. Others were standing in the center and he was trying to jump higher."