Portugal manager Fernando Santos spoke in a press conference before Portugal’s last friendly ahead of the World Cup in Qatar and all eyes were on Cristiano Ronaldo.

Santos confirmed that Ronaldo will not play against Nigeria on Thursday due to gastroenteritis as Portugal prepare for their World Cup opener on 24 November against Ghana.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is experiencing a difficult season and seems determined to leave Manchester United.

Ronaldo has scored three goals in 16 games for the Premier League club this season. With the Seleçao, his last goals date back to July, when he scored a brace in the 4-0 Nations League win over Switzerland.

On Ronaldo’s interview with Piers Morgan

“We only talk about Qatar here,” Santos said before stressing that he respects Ronaldo’s decision to do the interview with Piers Morgan, an interview he described as “personal”.

“He [Ronaldo] didn’t have to speak or inform the Federation, what does this have to do with the national team? How does this affect the national team? What interests me is what he does here [with Portugal]. And here we only talk about Qatar. It’s his decision and we respect it. We have to respect it. It doesn’t affect us at all,” explained Santos.

On Thursday, the football world was rocked by Gerard Pique announcing his retirement

The Barcelona player was one of the best central defenders of the last decade and made his announcement through social networks.

The news surprised all the media and Pique's teammates, something that no one expected.

A retirement in the middle of the season, in November, is unusual, but when the reasons are considered then the decision begins to make sense.

Pique's lack of minutes

Pique was the fifth-choice centre-back in his team this year, behind Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde, and his coach did not count on him much at all.

Only injuries to all his teammates have meant that the Catalan has had minutes so far this season, otherwise he would not have had any.

Between LaLiga Santander and the Champions League, he has played nine matches, amassing a total of 555 minutes.

In the few matches he has played, the central defender has struggled, committing numerous blunders, something that even provoked the whistling of his fans.

Xavi already told him that it would be difficult to break into the team, but Pique wanted to try. Now he has seen that he has not been able to.

Pique's marital struggles

His recent split with Shakira has not helped the footballer's situation. His alleged infidelity and subsequent relationship with Clara Chia has put his personal life in the headlines.

Shakira has already composed two songs that seem to criticize him.

Furthermore, the custody battle over their children has hurt Pique.

If Shakira finally goes to live permanently in the United States, Pique would not be able to see his children, which is something that hurts him deeply.

His family is above all else and he is not willing to be away from them just to stay and play in Barcelona.

The club wanted him to leave

The criticism that Pique received in the match that Barcelona played against Inter was one of the triggers.

The central defender did not expect this big blow and was disappointed with both the fans and the club.

Many of the comments came from the club, because they wanted him to leave due to the large salary he earns and to leave salary space for further new signings.

Faced with this, Pique personally informed Joan Laporta that he wanted to leave the club before the situation got any worse.

His burgeoning business empire

In addition to his football, Pique's burgeoning business empire has recently taken his focus away from the pitch.

He organized the Davis Cup while his team was playing, something that did not please the fans, and he has been investing in various other companies.

In his farewell video he says that "sooner or later, I'll be back", something that brings him very close to the presidential box.

It has been rumored many times that Pique could be president of the club and, after his retirement, anything is possible.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has announced his retirement from football and will play his final game on Saturday against Almeria at the Camp Nou.

The 35-year-old defender announced his retirement in a video shared on his Twitter page with the caption "Culers, I have to tell you something."

He added: "Culers, it's Gerard. The last few weeks and months, many people have been talking about me.

"Until now, I haven't said anything, but now I want to be the one talking about me.

"Like many of you, I've always been a Barcelona fan and I was born into a footballing family.

"From a very young age, I didn't want to become a footballer. I wanted to become a Barcelona footballer.

"I've been thinking a lot about that kid lately, about what the little Gerard would have thought if he had been told that all of his dreams would come true.

"That he would make it to the Barcelona first team and win every trophy possible.

"That he would become a European and world champion and play with the best in the world.

"That he would be one of the team's captains and make friends for life.

"It's been 25 years since I joined Barcelona. I left and then came back.

"Football has given me everything. Barcelona have given me everything.

"You, culers, have given me everything.

"And now that all that kid's dreams have come true, I want to tell you that I've decided that now is the time to bring this journey to its end.

"I've always said that there would be no other team after Barcelona and that's how it will be."

"This Saturday's game will be my last at the Camp Nou.

"I will become another fan and support the team and pass my love for Barcelona onto my kids, like parents did for me.

"You know me, and sooner or later I'll be back.

"See you soon Camp Nou and always long live Barcelona."

The Catalan-born center-back started his career in Manchester United before moving to Barcelona in 2008.

At Barcelona, Pique made over 600 appearances, winning 31 trophies, which included four Champions Leagues and eight La Liga titles.

NuclearReactor:
I was so happy that ten hag benched him for missing preseason, no player no matter how good is above the team!!